Lawrence Mooney – Surely Not: A Masterclass In Laughter At Rhino Room – Adelaide Fringe Review

Rhino Room – Upstairs, Fri Feb 20 Lawrence Mooney might be more used to TV humour these days, but he provides something of a master-class in his Fringe offering – Surely Not. With a raw honesty, and deliberate intent to engage his audience, this is stand-up in which even a Tony Abbott supporter in the front row can feel safe, if not quite mutually supported and admired! Mooney has a great rapport with his audience, refraining from put downs, and generally laughing along with his audience. The story line is supposedly about a trip to England to bury a lost uncle. There are siblings and family and death and of course sex along the way. One of the asides (which is likely to change from night to night) was if it is right that he, as the youngest of three brothers, should be circumcised when the others aren’t (an unintended sideline, I’m sure)? Why is it that his voice automatically goes deep and strong when it says the word ‘cock’? Mooney works with requested feedback from his audience and is also very quick to take advantage of unexpected occurrences (and perhaps things to be expected, such as bottles falling over). All-in-all this show is a great hour of humour and a fine example of a stand-up comic at the top of his game. Clayton Werner Lawrence Mooney performs Surely Not. at Rhino Room – Upstairs until Sat Mar 14. Book at FringeTIX on 1300 621 255 or adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.