Greg Fleet has been around the Australian comedy scene for decades, well-known to many. He’s a bit rude, a bit political, and not always sober in his approach to life and performance, which is how his fans love it. In looking for a new approach to a show, inspiration has struck and Fleety will do it all on the fly, each night.
Ad Lib-Oration is not without structure, but does rely on audience contributions. To avoid degeneration into chaos or falling flat from lack of material, Fleet gathers written submissions from audience members as we wait in line before the show. Each with their own question, request or prompt, these slips of paper take their turns in Fleet’s presentation, providing the basis for the title of a story, which he then proceeds to tell. Those looking for a clear narrative arc may be disappointed, but those ready to follow the journey through random asides, cleverly discovered call backs and spontaneous puns will not be disappointed.
Names of people are selected, and it turns out these are people who will not speak to Fleet anymore, and he gives the reasons behind these partings of the ways. Again, the joy here lies in the journey, rather than the destination. Quotes, well-known or otherwise, find their ways into Fleet’s whimsical works – we are treated to the HomesWest version of the book of Genesis, featuring the “need, the need for speed” in the Garden of Eden. And then there is the bravest part of his show, complete with encouraging feedback from the sound desk, where Fleet takes inspiration from nominated household appliances to create “dad jokes” that the most hardened daggy dad would cringe from inflicting on his offspring.
Fleet seems to be having a good time with this show, setting challenges and rising to them. His long career in delivering material stands him in good stead, with never a moment that he can’t address with assurance. Audiences seeking free-wheeling thought association will find such moments sporadic, but even the most dedicated follower of Fleet’s material will find little recycled, and any anecdotes that seem familiar may turn to play into the longer, hidden comedic arc.
A good-natured addition to the FringeWorld comedy line up, Ad Lib-Oration brings chuckles to a good night out.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5​
Ad Lib-Oration
Devised and performed by Greg Fleet
Casa Mondo, The Pleasure Gardens, Northbridge
18-22 February 2015
Part of FringeWorld 2015
