I only have to look at Lawrence Mooney's face on the publicity material to find myself smiling. Winner of last year's Melbourne Fringe Best Comedy Award he brings his latest piece Lawrence of Suburbia to the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival and it is a real treat. Mooney makes a dramatic entry, menacingly wielding a giant leaf blower (purchased at Bunnings) to music from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Then the lights come up and the leaf-blower becomes a camel with Mooney on board, scarf round head, waxing lyrical to music from Lawrence of Arabia. He is about to take us on a journey through suburban Melbourne, from Bayswater, where he grew up, to inner city shared houses and finally to a beach-side family home.
Mooney's keen eye and quick wit enable him to lovingly send up the peculiarities of the idiosyncratic Aussie suburban life-style. He takes us back to a time when summers were filled with the sound of sprinklers, the smell of fish and chips, the mania of unmedicated mothers, the joy of mixed lollies and freedom with all its dangers – fireworks and incinerators. Bayswater would be like Aspen Colorado if not for the lack of snow and the prevalence of industry! Then forward to single living and finally married life.
The audience is led on a rambling, hilarious journey, guided by Mooney both as himself and as his alter ego Lawrence who re-appears from time to time to add some literary words of wisdom as we sequel from one topic to another and from one time to another.
Mooney is a consummate performer with a depth of experience (as a television and radio host and presenter as well as serious actor) which insures that Lawrence of Suburbia is a real winner. His is a gentle, inclusive style of comedy which draws the audience in so that they find themselves laughing with him, at ourselves. Whilst he does not rely on the audience for input, he cheerfully and quickly responds if anyone comments out loud.
The audience, a full house, loved the show and my friend and I walked into the night punching the air in celebration of our small victories – we had six consecutive green lights on our way home. See the show and you'll appreciate the significance of this.
If you want to laugh out loud until your body aches this is the show for you. Don't miss it.
2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Lawrence of Suburbia
Lawrence Mooney
Venue: Arthur's Bar | 95 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (Licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian)
Dates: 29 March - 22 April, 2012
Times: Tue-Sat 8.15pm, Sun 7.15pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $27 - $20
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 | at the door