Adelaide Fringe Festival – 1000 Years of German Humour
On entering the venue, (The Caos Entertainment Complex 188 Hindley Street in the west of the city) and being greeted by the performers at the door there is an immediate sense of anticipation. The interior is dimly lit but seating is arranged to make the audience feel at home. The bar service is good and reasonably priced as were the varied meal selections. The artists, Henning When and Otto Kuhnie were so obviously enjoying themselves that it was infectious.
The jokes were funny, outrageous and hilarious without being contentious and by the first ten minutes the audience was sold along with this critic. The delivery was fast and furious and quite frankly this carried on for so long that the laughter drowned out some of the jokes and not a few of the punch lines.
Herr Kuhnie’s performances on the accordion were musical without being classical and swept the audience along in a sea of participation which added to the general frivolity and sense of bonhomie.
Every nationality from the English, Irish and Scottish to every single European nation has a bit of fun poked at them and whilst the danger of being racist or discriminatory is ever present this aspect is never touched on.
As you would expect from a show with this title, the war and all its various aspects are dissected without any show of rancour or bad taste. The show rollicks along and never flags for an instant.
At this stage I think it must be fairly clear to all the readers that I was sold on the show and its players, who clearly seemed to be enjoying 1000 Years of German Humour more than their audience.
Whatever I write here cannot reflect the absolutely wonderful evening out this show provided. 1000 Years of German Humour brings plenty of humour to the soul and provides a chance to forget the recession, the state of the world and any other soul destroying events which may fill our lives at this current time.
More strength to Messers When and Kuhnie and lets hope that somebody in the vast array of Adelaide Fringe Festival organisers has the sense to bring these two very, very funny gentleman back to Adelaide for an encore.
However failing this I am confident that many of the Friday night audience will make a second visit to this venue before the show runs out on 21st March (I know I will).
Whatever you do, this is a not to be missed opportunity and deserves more than the five stars I allocate to it.
Adelaide Fringe Festival – 1000 Years of German Humour
ticket prices range from $15 to $30.75 without dinner or $65 per person, including a four course dinner. Season ends March 21 at the Caos Entertainment Complex 188 Hindley Street.
