Cracker critics' choice
The 2008 Cracker Comedy Festival is a madhouse of comedy greats, up-coming comedians, skit shows - and all-round laughter fest. Time Out takes you through some of the best
By Sarah Norris
Jason Alexander, Charles Ross and Mark Watson
Jason Alexander
Comedy Spectacular
It’s hard not to mention Jason Alexander without bringing up his role as the bulbous-headed, velvet-loving, cheapskate “architect” and all round nebbish George Costanza in Seinfeld – it was after all the role that made him famous. Since those days he’s been living the life of a renaissance man, dabbling in live comedy and musical theatre, making good on the Tony Award he won in 1989 with a series of acclaimed roles, including a run in Mel Brooks’ The Producers. His Comedy Spectacular will see him revive those early days, hosting an evening of stand-up, sing-a-longs and improvisational comedy with a swag of Aussie guests: Kitty Flanagan, The Umblical Brothers, Russel Gilbert and Mick Molloy.
Enmore Theatre, 29 April, 3 & 4 May. $89.90; conc. $82.90
Mark Watson
Can I Briefly Talk to you about the Point of Life?
A multi award-winning boyo from the valleys of Wales, Mark Watson’s comedy isn’t so much stand-up as an impassioned rally that follows everyday nonsense through to global ramifications. Making Australia one of his regular stops over the past two years, he’s been cracking up audiences with his over-analytical brain. This time he contemplates the biggest issue: the meaning of life. This has disaster and comedy written all over it.
The Factory Theatre, Marrickville Tue 6–Sat 10 May; Sun 11 May. $31.50; conc. $26
Prequels and Sequels
Do you feel cheated by the ending of Sopranos? Have you ever wondered if it was such a happy ending for Roberts and Gere after the credits roll on Pretty Woman? Prequels and Sequels will remedy those grievances and pick up the story right where Hollywood’s laziest scriptwriters left off. This show recruits Sydney’s top improvisational comedians to remake the last few minutes of art-house classics and blockbusters alike. The options are limitless.
Newtown Theatre, King St, Newtown 13 & 18 May. $26; conc. $20
Charles Ross Presents
One Man Star Wars Trilogy
We reckon Charles Ross is such a total Star Wars tragic he probably even knows the name of the band in the Mos Eisley Cantina on the planet of Tatooine in A New Hope (it’s Figrin D’an and the Modal Nodes, for all you novices). Impressing audiences at last year’s Cracker, Woods returns with his collection of Star Wars characters – wookies, C3PO, R2D2, Chewbacca, Princess Leia – the whole shebang – all on one stage and done by the one person. BYO light saber.
Metro Theatre, Tue 29 April–Sun 4 May. $39–$47
The Axis of Awesome
Comeback Spectacular
Could Axis of Awesome be the greatest band in the world? After a 42-year history of reinvention, from their footloose beginnings in the 60s, their disco drug binges of the 70s, and their dabblings into emo in the 90s, they still have the sex appeal and, of course, the songs. And after an “extended hiatus” where they refused to be seen in the same room, they will reunite for one night only (well, a series of nights) at Cracker. Be there to see this (fake) band explode on stage, and especially Jordan Raskopoulos, who cracked up Cracker audiences last year with his hilarious show, The Man With The Dominant Claw. Colours!
Fuse Box @ The Factory, Tue 6–Sun 11 May. $17
Al Pitcher in
Idiot Wind
Laugh yourself silly with this London and sometimes Stockholm-based New Zealand comic when he brings his unpredictable, unsystematic and up-beat stand-up comedy. Pitcher has been cracking audiences up across the globe, and is definitely a man to watch.
The Café @ The Enmore Theatre, Wed 30 April–Sun 4 Mary. $25; concs $21.90
Cracker Night
It’s like Christmas for comedy lovers. The best of the best of the best, opening Cracker Night is a peppering of some of the… well, the best comedians that make up the three and a half weeks of Cracker. But for the first time, the gala opening night will run over two venues, with the comedians dashing between the Metro and the Enmore, transported via the Comedy Bus. Who will turn up? Buy a ticket and find out.
Enmore Theatre & The Metro Theatre, Wed 16. $39; conc. $35.50
The Mother Of All Galas
Most of these ladies of comedy will be doing their solo shows but if you want to get a big hit of oestrogen, the femme de la crème of showcase comedy will gather in the very civilised surrounds of the Recital Hall. See Jackie Loeb, Julia Wilson, Julia Morris, Sally Kimpton and Amelia Jane Hunter talking mothers, mothering and the universe.
City Recital Hall, Sat 26 April. $37.50; conc. and groups of 6+ $32
The Chasers Age of Terror Variety House
Bursting with sketches, songs and other random acts of laughter, the Chaser team will continue their crusade of comedy and their task to make Sydney laugh. Expect the whole team, except Chris Taylor, who will be replaced by Dominic Knight, one of the troupe’s founders and longtime Chaser writers.
Enmore Theatre, Tue 6–Sun 11 May. $48; conc. $43
The Time Out Great Comedy Debate
Two teams of three will battle their wits and crack their sharpest lines to answer the age-old question: Is laughter the root of all evil? Expect smart arse remarks, snide comments, big brains and of course, laughter.
The Factory Theatre, Wed 23 April. $32; conc. $28
Reginald D Hunter
The Perrier Comedy Awards are the UK’s way of saying people are really, really funny, and after 25 years, they must know. And although Hunter has been a bridesmaid three times, never a bride, in our books he’s still a crack up. Sensitive ears need not apply.
The Studio, Sydney Opera House, Tue 15–27 April. $22–$32
Akmal
He’s a regular face on the Sydney comedian circuit, air-waves and after a sell out season at the Opera House, backs up at Cracker with a fast-paced, joke-heavy, controversial show about modern day life.
Go for the rude jokes.
Enmore Theatre, Fri 2 May. $32.60; conc. $30.30. Tickets available Enmore Theatre on 02 9550 3666 or www.crackercomedy.com