[COMEDY]
Dane Hiser –Days SinceIncident: Zero
The show: According to brainy types, a ‘Black Swan’ is a highly improbable event. Comedian Dane Hiser is not in control. His life is full of “shitloads of black swans” – a river of black swans, if you will. And Hiser has no paddle. Join him as he uses his manky hands to paddle out.
The talent: Dane Hiser is a lispy, awkward and loveable hero of the people. You would have seen him on the bus and train. Comedy star Tommy Dean says: “When I first met Dane, I thought, ‘He’ll never be funny,’ then BAM! Like a superhero out of a phone booth…”.
The crowd: Anybody who wants to feel better about their problems… and likes puns!
Price: $15 adult / $12 concession
Where: The Bunker, Factory Theatre
When: Wednesday September 30, Friday October 2 and Sunday October 4
James Flavin–I’m Sorry
The show: James Flavin is married, straight, middle-class, middle-aged and white, therefore everything is his fault and he needs to apologise. The show follows a narrative where he thought he was doing the right thing, or did nothing but he was wrong. The world today is broken and it is his fault.
The talent: This is James Flavin’s first public show. Up until now he has played corporate gigs, so if you are a not-for-profit industry expert, accountant or financial services executive, you may be familiar with his work.
The crowd: The show is cross-generational. Younger people will hear how Flavin’s generation has broken everything and older folk will share his pain. There is very mild coarse language.
Price: $15
Where: The World Bar
When: Saturday September 5, Wednesday September 9 and Saturday September 12
#Porky4PM
The show: Justin Jones is a fresh face in comedy with some big ideas. His mother told him he could do anything he wanted. Fed up with politics in this country, his alter ego Porky thinks he is the man for the job, and he’s here to tell you all about it.
The talent: Jones plays his alter ego, Porky, a happy-go-lucky individual who is just trying to enjoy living life. With a skewed perspective on the world, join him as he starts down the campaign trail in his first-ever solo shows.
The crowd: Anyone disillusioned with politics. Anyone who knows that we can do better and who is frustrated that we’re not. Anyone who can handle a bit of swearing and a good laugh.
Price: $5 Wednesday / $10 adult Friday and Saturday ($8 concession)
Where: Hive Bar
When: Wednesday September 16, Saturday September 19 and Friday September 25
The MinoritiesReport
The show: The Minorities Report is the debut solo show by Soame Chopra, exploring the minority groups to which he belongs. As a half-Indian financial planner, mature-age comedian and punster, that makes for plenty. Expect puns, word association and some witty observational comedy.
The talent: Soame Chopra has been involved in financial services for 35 years and stand-up comedy for 11. He’s a regular on the Newcastle comedy circuit, running the fortnightly free comedy night at the Oriental Hotel, Cooks Hill. His name? It comes from his Indian father and Australian mother’s anglicising of his birth name, Som, to Soame – which, as it turned out, made him the only Soame Chopra on the planet. Now that’s a minority.
The crowd: People who enjoy puns, and possibly financial advice.
Price: $10
Where: The Container, Factory Theatre
When: Saturday September 26 – Sunday September 27
The Murphy FamilyWake
The show: It’s stand-up but it’s a bit different – it’s a complete narrative told in an hour. Grandma’s dead and no-one really liked her. How do you celebrate someone’s life when you never celebrated it when they were alive? Sounds hilarious, right?
The talent: Thomas Murphy; you may have seen him on the Sydney University comedy circuit.
The crowd: The best audience would be people who like to laugh, but also feel a bit sad.
Price: $15 adult / $10 concession
Where: The Container, Factory Theatre
When: Wednesday September 2 – Sunday September 6
A Case Study
The show: A Case Study is a hilarious observational and improvisational take on the life of a 30-something man meeting the challenges of marriage, mortgages, mayhem and medicine. Resonating with audiences young and old, Casey Talbot will leave you laughing.
The talent: Talbot’s distinct style of storytelling ensures that no two shows are ever quite the same. Through charming interactions with his audience, he winds his tales of adventures and misadventures together into an hour of merriment, with audience members treated more as long lost friends than punters. Talbot has been performing comedy around Australia and the world for almost a decade. With credits ranging from little pubs in towns you’ve never heard of through to performing on the legendary MacDougal Street in New York’s Greenwich Village, Talbot has been there.
The crowd: 15-plus to 100.
Price: $8-$16
Where: Bunker, Factory Theatre
When: Tuesday September 1 – Saturday September 5
Sydney Fringe Festival 2015 takes place across various venues, 1–30 September. For more info head to sydneyfringe.com.
