Photos – Pia JohnsonPicture a pair of madcap, mess-making, disorderly uncles who crash a Christmas party armed with slogans like “nom nom till you vom vom”, prosthetic flying limbs and carols including “Good King Best and Less” and you’ll understand why the Barry Award winning kids comedy duo have brought back this festive, Aussie take on a panto for a second year in a row.
Nowhere else will a child be asked up on stage to burp on queue or fling Velcro baubles at two grown men dressed as grinning Christmas trees. Nowhere else will they get to hear enough poo jokes to fill an entire year of school days, or turkey renamed as “twerky” with dance moves to match. And while Matthew Kelly and Richard Higgins have a dedicated child following who queue up in the foyer afterwards to get selfies or “Smell-fies” (taken down the other end), the parents are just as likely to be ardent fans as they revert happily back to absurdist childlike humour.
With a set and prop collection raided from the $2 shop and Bunnings – as Matt proudly points out – this talented duo make it clear that no big budget is necessary to bring joy at any time of year.
We look forward to seeing what these crazy kids trapped in adult bodies will come up with next.
The Listies present
The Listies Ruin Xmas 2016
by Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly
Venue: Beckett Theatre | The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank VIC
Dates: 10 & 11, 17 & 18 December 2016
Bookings: malthousetheatre.com.au
