Astute, sharp and intelligent, Wil Anderson is a master of the cleverly structured show. It’s a shame then that he sometimes takes aim at easy targets – disgraced footballer Brendan Fevola; money-hungry doctors; dick jokes – but Anderson clearly knows his audience and what they’ll laugh at – and laugh they do. In Wilarious, Anderson’s subjects range from the low IQ of Gold Coast residents to Sydney homophobe Fred Nile, with some Gruen Transfer-style digs at advertising along the way. His diatribes are passionate, as is his central theme – stripped of the gags, this is a show concerned with mortality, hope, and creating a better future.
The first half explores Anderson’s health, and features a truly hilarious routine about a Russian x-ray technician; the later part builds towards a charming climax concerning Anderson’s nephew. It’s this clever structure, rather than the jokes about oral sex and food, which make Wilarious truly memorable.
Rating: Four stars
Wil Anderson - Wilarious
Comedy Theatre, until April 15
Tue-Sat 8.45pm, Sun 6.15pm
An edited version of this review appeared in The Age on Monday 2nd April 2012.
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