You’ve got to feel for the exceptionally peppy lads of Aunty Donna as they leave stage: their brand of unbridled mayhem must leave them worse for wear the next morning. Broden Kelly, Zachary Ruane and Mark Samual Bonanno sweat for their art, offering up a chaotic exhibition of sketch comedy.
Aunty Donna are all-singing, all-dancing and thoroughly silly, as if Hi-5 were fused with Monty Python. This is the kind of show that never lets up, even going so far as to eventually break down into a messy (yet impressive) medley of callbacks. There’s plenty of skits to revisit, too, including the insurmountable challenges facing hyper-optimist Chin-Up Chuck, puns and subdued panic aboard a groovy boat party, as well as the Bubblebath Boys’ vendetta against the stars of the show. Broden, Zachary and Mark are well-rehearsed and, aside from the odd moment of corpsing (which, let’s face it, is normally a treat anyway) they’re at the peak of their powers as a sketch troupe. Their chemistry with one another is superb, but they’ve clearly worked hard to bring everything together too.
The additional preparation that goes into a show like this should not be underestimated, either, with both lighting and sound cues emerging essential components of Aunty Donna’s high-energy act. They’re incorporated imaginatively and, crucially, they’re executed well too. Hiccups would hurt the show immensely but, as it is, the Aunty Donna team are on the ball.
The trio demonstrate great versatility, too. Adept at spitballing absurdities for a laugh, Aunty Donna frequently flex their creative muscles to keep things fresh, whether they’re sending up the mundanities of everyday life or satirising innuendo-based comedy. In all likelihood, the main take away for most punters would be their relentless energy and their capacity to clown around, but there’s more method to Aunty Donna’s madness than meets the eye. There’s actual substance to their silliness. Of course, as you’d expect of any sketch comedy show, some bits work better than others. The show’s overarching narrative, in particular, proves less effective in drawing laughs than the bulk of Aunty Donna’s skits. While it imbues the show with structure, the group’s sushi-train of sketches proves far more delectable overall.
This is a ridiculously fun show from a ridiculously fun group. Fans who are already familiar with Aunty Donna’s particular brand of tomfoolery will not be disappointed. Meanwhile, the uninitiated are in for a real treat. Overall, you can expect a bedazzling, belly-laugh-inducing show.
BY NICK MASON
