PAPPOU ~ Anthony Locascio ~ Comedy Review

[COMEDY/Stand Up ~ AUS] PAPPOU Anthony Locascio Rhino Room, Sat 19 Oct, 2024. Anthony Locascio is not what you’d expect. I sat down in a full house of mostly ethnic punters expecting a Sooshi Mango inspired set, but what transpired couldn’t be further from it. Described as Australia’s premiere post racial comedian, Locascio’s first quarter got off to a slow start with a series of “safe” gags about Greeks and Italians and the tropes commonly discussed in ethnic-Aussie stand-up. However, as his Pappou (grandfather) entered the narrative, Locascio took us on a journey through his extraordinary family history and complex relationship with his idol. With anecdotes and fantastic metaphors he exposed the fragility of the male ego and the toxic masculinity in certain cultures and gave us a colourful insight into how, when we tone down the bravado we create a less hostile environment for a multitude of cultures/genders to coexist. Locascio’s set was littered with brilliant imagery. For example, when describing the tough love and loyalty of his Pappou (a celebrated goal keeper in the national soccer league) he expressed how fitting his position was as he’d literally throw himself on the line to protect what he loved. When talking about the homophobic types he’s encountered on social media as a result of likening Grinder to Greek Tinder in a post, Locascio describes scrolling through their profiles to find muscle-pics with mottos like “No pressure, no diamonds.” These stories had the room (myself included) in fits of hysteria. Given the demographic of his following, Locascio’s performance was both relevant and intrepid. He traversed topics and sentiments that aren’t typically comfortable whilst providing well-timed comic relief with clever punchlines and relatable characters. Definitely a gig not to miss. 4 stars Louise Adele This was Anthony Locascio's only Adelaide performance of Pappou. #TheClothesline #AdelaideComedy