The Arts Theatre. 16 Feb 2016
It was 1986 when Frank Woodley first attended an Adelaide Fringe Festival as a performer. This year marks his 30th anniversary returning to our fair city to entertain us with his unique brand of comedy.
Physically, Woodley may have aged in that time, but his wit and energy is still as young as the day he first sprung onto the stage and gave us, what he himself describes as, “an awful performance” – let alone what the critics had to say about it!
In the wake of the Lawrence Mooney saga, a newsworthy event not lost on this particular show, one does feel an overwhelming temptation to bait Frank into a Twitter furore by declaring his show an absolute pile of steaming sh!t. But of course it was nothing of the sort; the audience simply loved every minute of it!
An incredibly versatile performer, returning year after year with a completely different style of show, this year’s offering is a straight forward serving of 60 minutes of stand-up comedy. The price of admission will get you a comfy seat in the favoured Arts theatre, and the best value 60 minute show you’ll see all Fringe – at just on 90 minutes long!
Woodley manages to duck and weave over and through just about every topic you could imagine he might cover – plus a few others you wouldn’t expect to hear in public (don’t mention the glass half full to anyone who was there!). But he really comes into his own when his wit is matched by his innate physicality. A general chuckle, and the odd giggle, erupts into screams of laughter when Frank demonstrates the “catwalk model stumbling” routine. His “buff guy walking” is pretty damn accurate too!
Some of the stories are a bit overcooked, carrying on just a few jokes too long, but he is just so easy to sit back and watch. Even when you are not laughing he is still a joy to behold.
Frank Woodley is a well-known and popular comedian. You don’t need me to tell you he’s good. Hold this show up against his physical comedy productions such as Fools Gold from 2014 and you might be left wanting, but I doubt you’ll be disappointed in any case – so get along and see it!
PS this isn’t the only show he is doing this year, introduce your kids to Woodley with Noodle Nut which finishes its run this weekend on the 20th and 21st of Feb.
Paul Rodda
When: 16 to 21 Feb
Where: Arts Theatre
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
