Sydney Reviews

As a first-timer, I had very high expectations of Wayne Brady. I've seen him a few times on Whose Line is it Anyway? and I have heard from friends that he puts on quite a show. As you can imagine I was slightly apprehensive as with such high expectations I was bound to be let down. But I can say with all honesty that Wayne Brady is one of the most incredibly talented (and hilarious!) entertainers I have ever seen. Ever. He is the triple threat (heck, maybe a quadruple, or even quintuple threat). He is an amazing dancer, a gorgeous singer, a great actor, a spellbinding comedian and quite the improvisationist.

From the moment you walk into the theatre you are greeted by some helpers who ask you to fill in some forms. Write down a question you would like to ask and, on a separate sheet, come up with an original song title. If selected, Wayne Brady will answer that question ("in all honesty") and/or completely improvise the song choice on the night.

Sam McCool warmed up the audience (you may recognise/remember him from Australia's Got Talent) and although his routine was far from perfect, it is understandable as he is still quite inexperienced. He convinced the audience he was Tongan/Samoan, then Indian, then Greek and ended with a Lebanese accent. He was incredibly convincing with all of his accents, and there were some hilarious lines (including the Greek naming his children after venereal diseases; syphilis, herpes, hepatitis A and B...) but it did drag on.

After a brief intermission, the lights dimmed and the screen lining the back of the theatre stage lit up. A comic news report was broadcast, presenting Wayne Brady running around in nothing but a black g-string, apparently losing his mind on the streets – a reference to recent media reports that he had in fact lost the plot a bit. But tonight's performance confirms that he is all there, and that made us beam with pure joy. Brady's sidekick emerges on stage to confirm with us that the show will be highly interactive. Brady shouts out to the crowd quite a lot, even pops down to the stalls to chat to people, making us all feel special as if we were part of our own unique show.

Of course Brady was not on stage on his own. There was always someone there to help him out, including a very sweet looking keyboardist who may have been controlling the images on the screen and also participated in some fun improv games. Even Andrew O'Keefe from Weekend Sunrise had a special guest appearance on the Jeopardy improv segment. Much respect to Keefie, as he is also an impressive improvisationist. He maintained an Irish character accent which almost (almost!) rivalled Brady's Mexican accent. However, the additional performers who almost made me internally combust were the two male backup dancers. It is really difficult to express in words how amazing they were. They were utter perfection and I need to see them again (I hope they do house parties?). The greatest moment, which took this performance to the next level (as one of the greatest comedy nights of my life!) was when the curtains were drawn open to reveal Brady and his backup dancers in black leotards and 'big hair' wigs, flawlessly replicating Beyonce's 'Single Ladies'. My body did not know how to react. They took an audience request, song title 'Retard in a Leotard', and blew my mind.

Other song requests were produced by Brady to the tune of Prince, Elvis Presley and even Justin Bieber. He is ridiculously good. And when he improvised a Ludacris rap I think I lost the plot. If you are reading this you need to see this show. It doesn't matter how old you are (there was a 10 year old in the audience who even got up and danced with the boys on stage), and many elderly folk who were giggling and clapping along to the beat. At the very least, buy the DVD so you can see what I'm talking about. Wayne Brady is the perfect entertainer.


A-List Entertainment presents
Brother Down Under Tour
Wayne Brady

Melbourne
The Palms at Crown
4, 5, 6 & 7 July

Perth
Burswood Theatre
Tue 10 July

Sydney
Enmore Theatre
12 & 13 July

Bookings: Ticketek