Presented by Laughing Stock Productions
Reviewed 5 March 2020
Ivan Aristeguita is back for his seventh Adelaide Fringe with his new show, Piñata. Introducing himself to the audience in Spanish and then English, the tone was set for the show. And that tone was upbeat positivity, weaved through tales of his coming to Australia as an immigrant and ongoing love life dramas.
Those who’ve seen Aristeguita before will know that this comedian just gets better every year, and Piñata proved that point. Regailing the audience with a history lesson on the piñata that touched on missionaries using them as a conversion tool, to children smashing open their favourite superhero, the stories he tells are both informative and funny as heck.
Ivan does a mean Aussie accent, contrasting the suave and dulcet tones of his natural Spanish with the guttural, ocker Australian vernacular. He told stories of growing up in Venezuela, the cultural differences that exist between his two countries and his mother’s obsession with Tupperware. He also introduced the audience to the concept of age-splaining, which is a right held by anyone older than you. He demonstrated how to make dick jokes romantic and that he uses The Bachelor as a dating elimination tool.
There was also a fair focus on his recent trip to Japan with his mother for his fortieth birthday. This part of the show highlighted Aristeguita’s ability to somehow be both funny and insightful at once. Urging people to come together rather than segregate due to differences, he reminded everyone that we all have something in common, even if it’s just bum holes. There were a few bum and toilet jokes because, as he pointed out, they’re about the only category of joke that has survived political correctness.
It’s difficult to review a comedian without giving away too many of the jokes that you’d prefer to hear live, but I’ve got to say that this guy is just fabulous. He can do the toilet humour, but he’s also excellent at rising above it and leaving audiences with something to actually think about. And the one thing this performer does better than any other comedian I’ve ever seen, is that he radiates positivity. You’ll walk away grinning just from the good vibes he gives off. Highly recommend this talented rising star.
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Twitter: @SamStaceyBond
Rating out of 5: 5
Venue: Umbrella Revolution, The Garden of Unearthly Delights
Season: 2-15 March
Duration: 55 mins
Tickets: $25-36
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/ivan-aristeguieta-pinata-af2020
More News
