Much like his other shows, there's still no Polar bears
Reviewed at the Rhino Room on 20 February 2019
Presented by Pat McCaffrie
Pat McCaffrie is an Adelaide-born Melbournite writing for Shaun Micallef’s Mad as Hell while appearing in The Leak. Politics and Polar Bears is Pat’s latest stand-up news commentary show for the Adelaide Fringe, it has the same wide-ranging shoot-first-ask-questions-later core but feels more refined and fun. Still no polar bears, much like the other shows.
He’s an agile comedian, with targets ranging from Scott Morrison to Syphilis and back (several times, with a dash of Catholicism, Alan Jones and Shorten on the side). He also makes room for a regular dose of self-deprecating personal anecdotes.
Pat’s style of humour plays on witty descriptions and odd perspectives of otherwise banal topics, vividly drawing out bizarrely appropriate depictions and ‘what-if’ scenarios. The variety keeps the show fresh and engaging throughout the hour, with some of the laugh-out-loud images and lines being particularly memorable. The presentation is also more fitting and controlled – with the pacing and stage presence being more reactive to the audience. The intimate Hell’s Kitchen space suits this well.
The show works great for political enthusiasts but should have some broader appeal for anyone who’s made the error of watching the news in the last 365 days.
Reviewed by Seb Rositano
Venue: Hell’s Kitchen, Rhino Room.
Season: 7:15pm. Last show March 2.
Duration: 60mins.
Tickets: $20 full price ($15 on Tuesday), $17 Concession
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