Presented by Petty Four
Reviewed 20 February 2016
The Petty Four, Maggie Wood, Nikki Fort, Kim Clark and Andrew Le Roy, are a newly formed group of stand-up comedy artists who can also warble well. They are anything but petty. When two ‘Baby Boomers’ and two Gen Xers get together, there is bound to be a Mid Laugh Crisis. This reviewer admits to being slightly confused as being born in the latter half of 1959, I’m technically a BB, but grew up an Xer.
This is a fun hour of laughs aimed at the slightly older age group, that young whipper snapper Gen Yers will also enjoy.
Both Wood and Fort are born to be on a stage of some description: both having a very nice laid-back approach to their comedy that makes one feel we’ve known them all our lives. Fort looks like everyone’s favourite aunt, but has a great ribald sense of humour, with a couple of very hilarious punch lines that would probably make a dock worker blush. Wood is more genteel, but just as funny, especially when describing the pitfalls of modern automated toilets.
Le Roy has us rolling in the aisles with his theory that sub-text is gradually disappearing (this reviewer will never be able to listen to Eidelviess the same way again) and his self-conceived disease, ‘Potter Guilt’. Clark seemed a little nervous at the beginning of his set, but that could just be his shtick. His theory on why we shouldn’t drink water is very funny and probably should have a scientific paper written about it.
The song side of things features some great vocals and harmonies from all four, even though it does take a little time to get their first note.
This is perfect light-weight Fringe fare. Wood promises that the Petty Four will return – let’s hope that it’s fairly soon.
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Twitter: @briangods
Rating (out of 5): 3.5
Venue: The Jade Monkey 150-160 Flinders Street, Adelaide
Season: 4 (SOLD OUT) and 6 March 2016
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: All tickets $25
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)
http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
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