The Advertiser: "It is MBM on steroids with its vast and enthusiastically hard-working cast. A merry and utterly concocted romp through Elvis nostalgia, peppered with 25 favourite old songs. This is a big, big show very ambitious indeed, with masses of costume changes, scene changes and well-disciplined dance routines!"

Sunday Mail: "Matt Byrne has put together a small army of actors, musicians and crew to bring Joe DiPietro's feelgood musical to South Australian audiences."

Messenger Newspapers: "The cast is energetic ... the 20-plus Elvis numbers had the crowd clapping along .. it was a lot of fun!"

GLAM Magazine: "Joe DiPietro’s musical is a merry romp, infused with some ideas loosely taken from Shakespeare’s plays. There are over two dozen numbers ranging from ballads to good old rock ‘n’ roll, all of which you will know. Musical Director, Mike Pitman has put together a very solid band who are positioned at the rear of the stage. The costuming, by Anne Humphries, is great and Sue Pole’s choreography suits the period beautifully, Matt Byrne’s comic book set looks good and there is plenty of enthusiasm and energy."

Press Release

Elvis style musical to get SA All Shook Up

The music of Elvis with the story of Chad as Shakespeare goes rock’n’roll

Matt Byrne Media will get South Australia All Shook Up with a rock’n’roll musical that features the comic style of William Shakespeare and the greatest hits of Elvis Presley.

The show will play the Arts Theatre from July 7 to 17, Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31.

The fabulous 50s style musical features the story of roustabout Chad who rides into a sleepy mid-West American country town, touches a broken down jukebox and it comes to life … so does the town.

Producer/Director Matt Byrne said All Shook Up was “a very funny, hip-shaking night of Elvis inspired dynamite.”

“Writer Joe DiPietro had adapted the script of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and fitted in more than 20 mega hits from the Elvis Presley songbook,” Byrne said.

“It’s a terrific script with wonderful colourful characters that could have stepped straight out of an Elvis movie with the wit and mistaken identities of a Shakespeare comedy.

“Chad meets town mechanic Natalie who dreams of hitting the opening highway in white leather jacket, finds a sidekick in Dennis and falls for the town cougar Sandra, as he turns the town on its ear!”

The Elvis hits keep coming with everything from Blue Suede Shoes, It’s Now Or Never, Follow That Dream, Fools Fall In Love, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, to even his latest hit A Little Less Conversation.

Musical Director Mike Pitman will lead the onstage band on guitar and Sue Pole will choreograph the big cast in a mass of hip-swivelling production numbers to ensure there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On!

The show will star charismatic newcomer Gavin Cianci as roustabout Chad, Melanie Smith as nifty Natalie who creates a male alter ego called Ed to get Chad’s attention, Gareth Wilkes as Chad’s nerdy sidekick Dennis and Heidi-Rae Abbey as town cougar museum manager Sandra.

Maggie Wood will play big-hearted honky tonk owner Sylvia, exciting new talent Rebecca Plummer will be her restless daughter Lorraine, with Dominic Hodges as Lorraine’s military school beau Dean.

Russell Ford will play Natalie’s widowed father Jim, Chris Bussey will stomp up a storm as the bombastic town Mayor Matilda and Byrne will hardly fire a shot as Matlida’s speechless love interest Sheriff Earl.

All Shook Up will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-10 & 13-17 at 8 p.m. and July 10 & 17 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 at 8 p.m. & July 24 at 2 p.m., and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Adults are $30.00, Concession $25 and Group Price are $28 and $22 for 10 or more. Bookings are available on 8262 4906, BASS or VenueTix or www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au Ring 85 86 1800 for Renmark tickets.

MBM to shake up SA with Elvis musical

The music of Elvis with the story of Chad as Shakespeare goes rock’n’roll

Matt Byrne Media will get South Australia All Shook Up with a rock’n’roll musical that features the comic style of William Shakespeare and the greatest hits of Elvis Presley.

The show will play the Arts Theatre from July 7 to 17, Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31.

The fabulous 50s style musical features the story of roustabout Chad who rides into a sleepy mid-West American country town, touches a jukebox and brings the place to life.

Producer/Director Matt Byrne said All Shook Up was “a very funny, hip-shaking night of Elvis dynamite.”

“Writer Joe DiPietro had adapted the script of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and fitted in more than 20 mega hits from the Elvis Presley songbook,” Byrne said.

“It’s a terrific script with wonderful colourful characters that could have stepped straight out of an Elvis movie with the wit and mistaken identities of a Shakespeare comedy.

“Chad meets town mechanic Natalie who dreams of hitting the opening highway in white leather jacket, finds a sidekick in Dennis and falls for the town cougar Sandra, as he turns the town on its ear!”

The Elvis hits keep coming with everything from Blue Suede Shoes, It’s Now Or Never, Follow That Dream, Fools Fall In Love, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, to even his latest hit A Little Less Conversation.

Musical Director Mike Pitman will lead the onstage band on guitar and Sue Pole will choreograph the big cast in a mass of hip-swivelling production numbers to ensure there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On!

The show will star handsome newcomer Gavin Cianci as roustabout Chad, Mel Smith as nifty Natalie who creates a male alter ego called Ed to get Chad’s attention, Gareth Wilkes as the nerdy Dennis and Heidi-Rae Abbey as ice cool museum manager Sandra.

Maggie Wood will play world-weary honky tonk owner Sylvia, Rebecca Plummer will play her restless daughter Lorraine and Domenic Hodges is Lorraine’s military school beau Dean.

Russell Ford will play Natalie’s father Jim, Paula Cooney will stomp up a storm as the bombastic town Mayor Matilda and Byrne will hardly fire a shot as nearly speechless Sheriff Earl.

All Shook Up will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-10 & 13-17 at 8 p.m. and July 10 & 17 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 at 8 p.m. & July 24 at 2 p.m., and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Adults are $30.00, Concession $25 and Group Price are $28 and $22 for 10 or more. Bookings are available on 8262 4906, BASS or VenueTix or www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au Ring 85 86 1800 for Renmark.

The Season is:

Arts Theatre July 7-17
Elizabeth's Shedley Theatre 22-24
Chaffey Theatre July 31

If Elvis auditioned for this show he'd get the lead, but the lead role is called Chad, and we need someone with real rock'n'roll charisma.

Call Matt on 041 933 5966 for details or email mbm@adelaide.on.net

 

 

 

ANZAC DAY CONCERTS

All Star SA Lineup for Lest We Forget Concerts

Wills Sisters & Johnny Mac join Irish Albert & Matt Byrne at the Scott Theatre

Adelaide music legends The Wills Sisters and Johnny Mac will headline the Lest We Forget Anzac Day Concerts at the Scott Theatre on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

It will be a real trip down memory lane for Anne and Susan Wills and Mac, who toured Vietnam to entertain the troops back in the late 60s.

“It’ll be like old home week, performing with Susan and Johnny again, Anzac Day is so important to so many people,” Willsy said.

“It seems like another lifetime now, but we went over there and hopefully took a little bit of home with us. Now we want to share some songs and fun with the Veterans and their families on their big day.”

Matt Byrne Media and Adelaide cabaret star Irish Albert have joined forces to present the two Anzac Day concerts, to honour and celebrate the memory of Australians in the theatre of war.

Producer Byrne said “Albert and I are delighted to have Willsy, Susan and Johnny on board.”

“These people are entertainment legends who put their lives on the line to tour Vietnam and we are honoured to have them on the bill,” Byrne said.

“They will join Irish Albert and the Elderly Brothers, superb tenor David Gauci, song and dance man David T. Scott, harpist Siobhan Owen and the cast of All Shook Up in the show,” Byrne said.

Producer Matt Byrne said the Lest We Forget variety concerts would cover the music and the memories, from WWII to Vietnam.

“Anzac Day is the real national day of this country, the Dawn Service and the March remind us of the ultimate sacrifice many Australians made,” Byrne said.

“So we believe it’s important once the official part of the day is over to provide some good old-fashioned variety entertainment. We’ll have pipe bands, dancers, and singalongs featuring the songs that we forged in people’s hearts during WWII.

“The second half however will move forward to the Vietnam War and pay tribute to the troops and the entertainers who went over to support them.

“They fought an unwanted war, now we want to celebrate their memory and sacrifice, and provide appreciation they never received when they first came home.”

Co-Producer Irish Albert is a stalwart of previous Anzac Day concerts.

“It’s a very special day for the armed services, their families and the nation,” he said. “We celebrate their sacrifice, their patriotism and the freedom that is their gift to all of us.”

Part proceeds from the concerts will go to Legacy and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.

Lest We Forget will run at the Scott Theatre in Kintore Avenue, City, on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Admission will be $20 Adults and $15 Concession, with Group Discounts for 10 or more.

You can book on 8262 4906, BASS on 131 246 or VenueTix on 8225 8888. Go to www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au for further details.

Poets 4 Breakfast at Goolwa on Anzac Monday

Salt On The Tongue Poetry Festival at Goolwa from April 23 to 26, 2010

How would you like to have Poets for Breakfast on the Anzac long weekend Monday, down in peaceful Goolwa?

Four of Adelaide’s most influential poets will serve up food for the mind and delicious pastries at Goolwa’s Signal Point on Monday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Jude Aquilina, David Mortimer, Graham Catt and Barbara Preston will be among the strong Adelaide contingent at the Salt On The Tongue Goolwa Poetry Festival which runs in south coast town from April 23 to April 26.

The Poets 4 Breakfast brand will make its debut as part of the national poetry festival, but will appear at other venues in the future.

Organiser Matt Byrne said it would be “the ideal away to finish off a poetic long weekend in Goolwa.”

“These are four of SA’s most influential poets and Poets 4 Breakfast gives you a chance to hear a tasty selection of their work,” Byrne says.There’s nothing quite like hearing a poet deliver their work in person. It’s a privilege to hear every every nuance, inflection, from the author.

“When you throw in coffee, juice and beautiful pastries from Goolwa’s Cafelicious, it really augurs well for a fulfilling conclusion to what promises to be a marvellously well-worded weekend.”

Mortimer said the National Poetry Festival would be a major highlight of the SA literary calendar.

“There are poets from around SA, interstate and overseas coming to read, listen to and celebrate the art of poetry in the coastal town of Goolwa,” Mortimer said.

“It is a significant event and a wonderful chance for people to hear the range and strength of voices working directly in shared living language.

"I was very pleased when Matt Byrne suggested the idea of "Poets4Breakfast", as I think breakfast is a perfect time for poetry, and I am a great fan of Jude, Graham and Barbara’s work at any time.

"I look forward to the chance to perform with them in a relaxed and idyllic environment, overlooking the water, on a holiday Monday morning. Please come and join us for fine food and poetry.”

Poets 4 Breakfast will run at Signal Point at Liverpool Street, Goolwa from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.

Admission is $25 Adults and $20 Concession including brekkie so book now on (08) 8262 4906 or BASS on 131 246, or go to www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au for further details.

Penis Principles head to Holden St

Matt Byrne’s Fringe hit rears its head again down at Hindmarsh

Matt Byrne’s politically erect Fringe comedy hit The Penis Principles is coming back by popular demand to Holden Street Theatres from April 9 to 11.

After a terrific Fringe season writer/director Byrne has decided to bring the ballsy comedy cabaret show back for one weekend.

“The audiences and the critics loved the show so we thought it would be great to bring it back for anyone who missed out,” Byrne said.

“We had a tremendous response from men and women, who found out more than they bargained for about the way men think.

Matt Byrne says it’s time men took “a long hard look at themselves.”

“We’ve had Busting Out about Busts and Vagina Monologues about … ginas, now the time has come for the The Penis Principles about … pulls,” Byrne says.

“Women want to know what men are thinking, well here’s their chance to find out.”

The show co-stars Kim Clark, Rohan Watts and Byrne and covers a multitude of sins and topics.

“We tackle men’s equipment and hidden hang-ups with tongue in cheek, situation in hand and a song in our heart,” he says.

“We examine everything from size, contraception and self satisfaction, to circumcision, toilet etiquette, and sperm count _ which is a lot easier than counting sperm!

“And there’s a bunch of very funny songs about the problems caused by He Who Must Be Obeyed, with plenty of interaction with the crowd.”

The show also promotes Prostate Cancer Awareness, encouraging patrons night to get a check up. We are already being lined up to do the State Prostate Cancer Conference in October.

Plans are underway to tour the show to Sydney and Melbourne and the Edinburgh Fringe.

“The show has legs and balls, we believe it can go a long way,” Byrne said. “And it has a serious side too. Men have to extract the digit and look after their health, this show could save your life.”

The Penis Principles re-runs April 9 & 10 at 8 p.m. and April 11 at 6 p.m. at The Studio at Holden Street Theatres at 34 Holden Street, Hindmarsh.

All Tix are $25.00 Book on 8262 4906 or VenueTix on 8225 8888. Go to www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au for further details.

Hardened Critics love The Penis Principles:

“Good clean dirty fun!” – The Advertiser.

“Pub cabaret fare at its lowest, dirtiest, most entertaining and hilarious best. _ ATG.

“The laughs kept coming!” _ db magazine.

“Definitely worth recommending if you want a night of fun entertainment and light humour!” _ Fringe Benefits.

“The jokes shoot from the hip but the take-home message comes from the heart - this show will get you thinking as you giggle and gasp for air!” _ Stage Whispers.

“This jolly trio of d***kheads provides a male reply to the plethora of shows about what it’s like to be female!” _ Messenger.

“This wacky exploration of the John Thomas hits both the head and the funny bone!” – Independent Weekly.

“The Penis Principle is a riotous sexual romp, puntastic entertainment, had the audience in stitches!” _ Encore Magazine.

PENIS PRINCIPLES HITS THE FUNNY BONE!

Critics Love The Below the Belt humour and message:

"The Penis Principles, is a fast-paced and hilariously low-brow journey into the issues plaguing modern man. The jokes shoot from the hip but the take-home message comes from the heart - this show will get you thinking as you giggle and gasp for air." - Stage Whispers.

"Written, directed by and featuring Byrne, along with very fine fellow performers, Kim Clark and Rohan Watts, this is pub cabaret fare at its lowest, dirtiest, most entertaining and hilarious best!" - Adelaide Theatre Guide.

"The Penis Principles into an enjoyable, pitched-from-the-heart farce that avoids crude over-indulgence. Ultimately, this wacky exploration of the John Thomas hits both the head and the funny bone. An amusing and painfully relevant two hours of comedy!" - Independent Weekly.

"Definitely worth recommending if you want a night of fun entertainment and light humour! The boys did very well, with great energy and spark amongst them, great acting and the good use of props in an intimate venue involving the audience as part of their acts. Overall the audience needed no extra help getting in the mood, which made it much more fun!" - Fringe Benefits

PENIS PRINCIPLES IS A FIVE STAR HIT!

"Written, directed by and featuring Byrne, along with very fine fellow performers, Kim Clark and Rohan Watts, this is pub cabaret fare at its lowest, dirtiest, most entertaining and hilarious best!" - Adelaide Theatre Guide.

"The Penis Principles into an enjoyable, pitched-from-the-heart farce that avoids crude over-indulgence. Ultimately, this wacky exploration of the John Thomas hits both the head and the funny bone. An amusing and painfully relevant two hours of comedy!" - Independent Weekly.

"Definitely worth recommending if you want a night of fun entertainment and light humour! The boys did very well, with great energy and spark amongst them, great acting and the good use of props in an intimate venue involving the audience as part of their acts. Overall the audience needed no extra help getting in the mood, which made it much more fun!" - Fringe Benefits.

TalkFringe - The public loves it too!

kb30 wrote: "Fantastic show - clever. witty and very very funny! The three guys do a great job - not only talented in their own right they combine together fabulously. Even the audience have the opportunity to participate and join in the fun! Do yourself a favour and take along your very own penis (slong, love-rocket, pecker, john thomas, prick, dick, pee-pee, tube steak, man drill, love pump, dong, wang, member, magic wand, and my particular favourite - Vlad the Impaler! etc. etc.) - you won't be sorry!" FIVE STARS

dianebeer wrote: "A brilliantly generous show with intensely clever script performed by a great team who worked every second together to weld action, words and songs in a sensational manner. Every word, gesture, song and action is sharp, fast and funny. Audience cracked up at that dazzling night's entertainment. superb show. CONGRATULATIONS TO WRITER AND PERFORMERS. DEFINITELY TEN OUT OF TEN for value and content. Adelaide has a genius in this writer and director." FIVE STARS

----

The Penis Principles is a comedy cabaret show with balls and two brains.

Find out what modern men are really thinking, in a below the belt evening of erect entertainment.

It's a show every man should see and every woman should experience

as Matt, Rohan and Kim unzip The Penis Principles!

Starring • KIM CLARK• ROHAN WATTS • MATT BYRNE

MBM unzips The Penis Principles

Matt Byrne unleashes 2010 Fringe comedy at Maxim’s Feb 16- Mar 14

Why do men have two brains … and which one’s in charge?

That’s just one of the many manly topics under the microscope in Matt Byrne Media’s politically erect Fringe comedy cabaret show The Penis Principles.

The show will have its World Premiere season at Maxim’s Wine Bar at 194a The Parade, Norwood, upstairs opposite the Norwood Town Hall, from February 16 to March 14.

Writer/Director Matt Byrne says it’s time men took “a long hard look at themselves.”

“We’ve had Busting Out about Busts and Vagina Monologues about … ginas, now it’s time for The Penis Principles about … pulls,” Byrne says.

“Women want to know what men are thinking, well here’s their chance to find out.

“There’s minimal puppetry and the odd scrotum, but we do tackle many topics men often avoid, and have a lot of fun doing it.”

The show co-stars Kim Clark, Rohan Watts and Byrne, and is the latest in a long line of MBM Fringe shows, including Bouncers, Shakers, Barrackers, Virgins, Pricks, Chalkies, Over The Hill and Caddyshack & Other Dangerfields.

“We tackle men’s equipment and hidden hang-ups with tongue in cheek and situation in hand,” he says.

“We examine everything from size, contraception and self satisfaction, to circumcision, toilet etiquette, and sperm count _ which is a lot easier than counting sperm!

“And there’s a bunch of very funny songs about the problems caused by He Who Must Be Obeyed, with plenty of interaction with the crowd.”

The show will also promote Prostate Cancer Awareness, with survivors there to talk to punters every night about getting a check up.

“Men have to extract the digit and look after their health, this show could save your life,” he said.

“As the gender balance gathers pace, we have to redefine what makes us men. As long as we keep our sense of humour there’s hope for both sexes.”

MAXIM'S WINE BAR

194a The Parade, Norwood (Upstairs Opposite Norwood Town Hall)

Feb 16 (Preview)- Feb 17 (Opening), 19 & 21, 23-24, 26 & 28, March 2-3, 5 & 7, 9-10, 12 & 14 at 8 p.m.

Book on 1300 374 643 - All Tix $25.00 & All Tightarse Tuesdays $20.00

Kim Clark Rohan Watts & Matt Byrne!

 

MBM to shake up SA with Elvis musical

The music of Elvis with the story of Chad as Shakespeare goes rock’n’roll

Matt Byrne Media will get South Australia All Shook Up with a rock’n’roll musical that features the comic style of William Shakespeare and the greatest hits of Elvis Presley.

The show will play the Arts Theatre from July 7 to 17, Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31.

The fabulous 50s style musical features the story of roustabout Chad who rides into a sleepy mid-West American country town, touches a jukebox and brings the place to life.

Producer/Director Matt Byrne said All Shook Up was “a very funny, hip-shaking night of Elvis dynamite.”

“Writer Joe DiPietro had adapted the script of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and fitted in more than 20 mega hits from the Elvis Presley songbook,” Byrne said.

“It’s a terrific script with wonderful colourful characters that could have stepped straight out of an Elvis movie with the wit and mistaken identities of a Shakespeare comedy.

“Chad meets town mechanic Natalie who dreams of hitting the opening highway in white leather jacket, finds a sidekick in Dennis and falls for the town cougar Sandra, as he turns the town on its ear!”

The Elvis hits keep coming with everything from Blue Suede Shoes, It’s Now Or Never, Follow That Dream, Fools Fall In Love, Hound Dog and Heartbreak Hotel, to even his latest hit A Little Less Conversation.

Musical Director Mike Pitman will lead the onstage band on guitar and Sue Pole will choreograph the big cast in a mass of hip-swivelling production numbers to ensure there’s a Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On!

The show will star handsome newcomer Gavin Cianci as roustabout Chad, Mel Smith as nifty Natalie who creates a male alter ego called Ed to get Chad’s attention, Gareth Wilkes as the nerdy Dennis and Heidi-Rae Abbey as ice cool museum manager Sandra.

Maggie Wood will play world-weary honky tonk owner Sylvia, Rebecca Plummer will play her restless daughter Lorraine and Domenic Hodges is Lorraine’s military school beau Dean.

Russell Ford will play Natalie’s father Jim, Paula Cooney will stomp up a storm as the bombastic town Mayor Matilda and Byrne will hardly fire a shot as nearly speechless Sheriff Earl.

All Shook Up will play the Arts Theatre from July 7-10 & 13-17 at 8 p.m. and July 10 & 17 at 2 p.m., Elizabeth’s Shedley Theatre from July 22 to 24 at 8 p.m. & July 24 at 2 p.m., and Renmark’s Chaffey Theatre on July 31 at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Adults are $30.00, Concession $25 and Group Price are $28 and $22 for 10 or more. Bookings are available on 8262 4906, BASS or VenueTix or www.mattbyrnemedia.com.au Ring 85 86 1800 for Renmark.

The Season is:

Arts Theatre July 7-17
Elizabeth's Shedley Theatre 22-24
Chaffey Theatre July 31

If Elvis auditioned for this show he'd get the lead, but the lead role is called Chad, and we need someone with real rock'n'roll charisma.

Call Matt on 041 933 5966 for details or email mbm@adelaide.on.net

 

 

 

 

An ideal show for your favourite club to hire!

CRITIC'S RAVE ABOUT RODNEY!!!

"Pure gold, this show certainly gets my respect." db magazine.

"A+ for Rodney!"

INDEPENDENT WEEKLY A+!!!!

When US comedian Rodney Dangerfield died in 2004 he was probably best remembered in Australia for two roles: 1980’s ‘Caddyshack’ alongside Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, and Oliver Stone’s ultra-violent 1994 flick, ‘Natural Born Killers’ in which Dangerfield bravely played a leering, abusive, incestuous father to the pert Juliette Lewis. Dangerfield’s decidedly low-brow shtick as the foul-mouthed misogynist was developed through decades of hard work on clubs and on TV variety shows such as Johnny Carson and Dean Martin.

Matt Byrne is well known to Adelaide audiences. His considerable history in theatre and comedy give him the confidence to approach a demanding one-man show like this. In the role of Dangerfield, Byrne’s pliant face provides good mimicry of the late comedian. But it is in the rapid-fire delivery of Dangerfield’s one-liners that Byrne shines. Switching between Dangerfield reciting his life story, to Dangerfield on stage (not that there’s much difference!), and with a minimum of props, Byrne captures the essence of the character.

While we’ve all heard the jokes before – it is the poignant tying together of the neglected child, Jacob Cohen, with his later alter-ego, the crass Dangerfield that gives the show its depth. Matt Byrne clearly isn’t Rodney Dangerfield, and the faux American accent sometimes goes awry, but as Dangerfield himself would have said, please, somebody, give the guy some respect!

Maxims Wine Bar, until March 22.

***** A+ - Peter C. Pugsley.

 

DB MAGAZINE

Rodney Dangerfield might've died just over four years ago, aged 82, but through the unique and astute impersonation skills of local theatre identity, Matt Byrne, he lives again with 'Caddyshack & Other Dangerfields.!

Renowned for his crude, over-the-top wisecracking and belligerent one-liners, found in movies such as Caddyshack and Back To School, Dangerfield may never have earned much respect from the movie high-browed and critical side of the industry, but as revealed here there was certainly a lot more to the man than met the eye.

For an hour-and-a-half Byrne takes on the role of Dangerfield and passionately tells of the comic legend's rise from poverty to a life of money, heavy drinking, marijuana use and depression.

Told pretty much in chronological order, Byrne could have easily taken the Wikipedic path and simply rattled off the whole diatribe of facts and hearsay; but here's the twist.

By meticulously recreating every twitch, shrug and tug of the tie, Byrne not only presents a comprehensive biograpical account of an otherwise overlooked entire life, but manages to respectively turn this show into an actual autobiographical telling, by cleverly creating an almost seamless script, largely made up of Dangerfield's best known gags.

It's here that fans, and even those not in the know will take great delight in reliving some of the most memorable and off-quoted verbal uppercuts in comedy history.

And for those Caddyshack afficionados out there, you're going to absolutely revel in Byrne's fast-forwarded re-enactment of almost every one Dangerfield's scenes from the movie.

Pure gold, this show certainly gets my respect.

Maxim’s Wine Bar, Feb 25-27, March 1, 4-6, 8, 11-13, 15, 18-20, 22.

***** - Steve Jones.

 

THE ADVERTISER

MATT Byrne has chosen to premiere his latest tribute show, Caddyshack & Other Dangerfields, about comic legend Rodney Dangerfield at this year's Fringe Festival.

Byrne is convincing enough in his portrayal of Dangerfield. Small snippets of song and sound effects are used as a prompt for Byrne to launch into an aspect of Dangerfield’s life, be it his school days, married life, family life, or his experiences as a performer.

He manages to meld many of Dangerfield’s classic jokes into the history of his life as he battles for respect in the entertainment industry and in life in general.

Byrne interacts well with the crowd, and while his faux American accent wavered at times, Byrne should further grow into the role as he performs more shows.

If you are a Rodney Dangerfield fan this show will satisfy. If you aren’t too familiar with Dangerfield’s work, you should still enjoy a laugh at some of his timeless jokes.

Maxim’s Wine Bar, Feb 25-27, March 1, 4-6, 8, 11-13, 15, 18-20, 22.

*** Rating: 3 Stars - Ben Hyde.

 

ADELAIDE THEATRE GUIDE

"Local theatre producer/director/performer Matt Byrne, on the other hand, deserves plenty of respect for his portrayal of this clever, complex and very funny man.

Byrne uses the intimate space effectively, moving around and engaging the audience, using all of Dangerfield's trademark nervous mannerisms.

Byrne disappears into the role and captures the funnyman's spirit, and that is what gives this show its spark.

Lovers of old-school American standup should also consider making their way to Norwood to catch the show, there are plenty of laughs to be had from some classic material."

*** Rating: 3.5 Stars - Jamie Wright.

 

SUNDAY MAIL

The prolific Matt Byrne channels the 1980s icon, the boggle-eyed, no-respect-muttering Rodney Dangerfield.

The show is a one-man tribute to all things Dangerfield and is told in the first person _ the man on stage talking about himself, his life and demons, all the while dropping the oneliners that made him so famous.

Not having seen the actor's 1980 cult movie Caddyshack and having only a passing familiarity with his personality, there was no better way to learn about the rude and crude comic than standup style.

With highlights from Caddyshack and plenty of oneliners, the audience was kept laughing with Byrne's impersonation skills.

*** Rating: 3 Stars - Rosetta Mastrantone.

RIP IT UP

Adelaide audiences will know Matt Byrne Media for their wonderful satirical ensemble productions on facets of Australian society. Caddyshack And Other Dangerfields presents the talented Matt Byrne solo, dedicating his time to the memory of Rodney Dangerfield - to show respect for one who had done so much for others. This is essentially 90 minutes of Byrne being a stand-up comic telling stories from Dangerfield’s life with jokes coming at a mile minute at a relentless pace – a big call for anyone. He must be commended for the sheer volume of jokes noticeably in the second half, and the neat use of musical inserts to break up the vignettes, to properly exploit the more poignant moments.

- Michael Coglan.