Review – Phatcave
Late night comedy club Phatcave brings together a selection of Fringe comedians for your sampling pleasure. It’s a great way to try before you buy if you’re a tad risk-averse. Also a good option if you can’t commit and just want a sampler. Like a box of chocolates, though, you never what you’re going to get each night.
On the night I attended there were six acts, with a mix of stand up, musical and physical comedy. Kicking things off were UK musical comedy duo Titty Bar Ha Ha, who opened with a cabaret mash-up about wanking and then serenaded one unsuspecting victim with a tale of their psychopathic tendencies. Next off the rank was Scottish stand-up Daniel Sloss who, at 22, has already written for and appeared on TV shows including the UK’s Mock the Week and Conan O’Brien in the US. Sloss managed to insult Christians, parents and cancer patients, but with such style that it wasn’t for a moment offensive. Lords of Strut followed, with their awkward schtick taking a little while to warm to as the Irish boys tried to “blow your minds wih dance”. Londoner Gordon Southern showed off his incredible local knowledge (revealed to be thanks to his Adelaidian wife) in his intelligent, patched-elbows-professor manner. Nikki Britton charmingly relayed tales of picking up Scottish men with dental issues, and schooled the boys on how not to speak near women with large breasts. Rising star and local boy Amos Gill took out the final act in cheeky form, with a rather uncomfortable story about a family trip to the Big Orange.
Host Mickey D, stalwart of the Adelaide comedy scene, kept the show rolling with his off-the-cuff crowd banter. Mickey has an intricate knowledge of surburbia and swear words, and an inclination to politely heckle members of the front few rows. He is a talented mimic, which interestingly, if a little oddly, extends to a repertoire of lifelike bird calls.
A good show to keep you kicking on into the wee hours of the weekend. Be entertained by a well-curated set of the Fringe’s finest and lesser-known comedy acts.
