Returning to Australian shores for the first time in 10 years, Noel Fielding rocked the Opera House as part of the’ Just For Laughs’ comedy festival. Noel hosted the evening, with 5 special guest performers; with the likes of Jarred Christmas (Never Mind The Buzzcocks), Hannal Buress (Saturday Night Live & 30 Rock), Sam Simmons, Big Jay Oakerson and fellow Mighty Boosh actor, Rich Fulcher aka Bob Fossil.
With the suspense high, everyone was waiting in anticipation of what the night will bring, when it comes to the Boosh, the fans are mantic, after getting a pre-show drink, a run into one (of the many crazy fans) well-dressed fan who came as the popular character Old Greg. What I love about these fans is that they are fully committed, she was covered in green paint, had a tutu and a moustache, but to top it off, she made the effort to go to Bunning’s, buy a head torch, and use it to re-created the Old Greg ‘Mangina’, a ‘Mangina’ that contains a beaming light. She mentioned that it was hard getting a cab to the Opera House.
Noel came on to a sold out Opera House, dressed stylishly as ever and greeting the crowd with a few jokes from his past stand up material, which I’ve seen a million times, but yet still made me laugh hysterically.
The first comedian to come on stage was Jarred Christmas, although funny, he was a comedian that just screamed. The next to come on was a surprise, in terms of order; Rich Fulcher, who is just funny to look at. Like Noel’s comedy, Rich is not standard; his comedy is weird, complex and visual. It’s his expressions that make his routine funny, but it feels that Rich, and his alter ego Bob Fossil are closely related, both outlandish, and smart in their own unique way.
With the constant costume changes between each set, Noel was setting the bench mark for what is fashion; the fashion highlights included a wonderful cape, a bowler hat, man heels and my personal favorite, a bright lime green sequined jumper.
Other acts followed, but didn’t come near the genius comedy styles of Noel, so once the final act finished, it began to wind down, well so he thought; the crowd took over, yelling Boosh characters for him to perform, and Noel followed suit. He performed ‘Tony Harrison’, ‘The Hitcher’,’ The Moon’ and finally Old Gregg, but with some hesitation, he told the crowd to fuck off in the notorious, and well known voice of Old Gregg, the crowd erupted!
Throughout the night, there was an overwhelming feeling of oh fuck, I’m seeing Noel Fielding, I’m not sure whether it was his Jesus like appearance, his ability to make you feel like you are on another planet or the fact it’s been 10 years, but, considering all that he has achieved since his last Australian tour, this fan felt that a much needed void was filled.
-Trent R
