Supreme beings the Doug Anthony AllStars (DAAS) – Australia’s most lauded comedy trio – are on the brink of international superstardom once more, continuing their record breaking reunion with a scandalous new show.
Set to rock audiences with a new deathly funny assortment of freshly concocted comedy brilliance, including new songs (!) and new old faves, Near Death Experience premieres at Perth’s Regal Theatre in October, following two public workshop performances in Sydney. They then play the Gold Coast in November and in 2016, the world!
Paul McDermott joined original member Tim Ferguson in getting the band back together, with mentor Paul ‘Flacco’ Livingston as guitarist, for a tour which sold out around the country in 2014/15 and during this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
The group’s initial reign as lords of the comedy universe came to an abrupt end at the height of their powers some 20 years earlier. The catalyst for the split was that which arguably has spurred their reformation – Tim’s constant companion, MS.
Whom or whatever the instigator, the AllStars agree, no one could have predicted the second coming of DAAS. Speaking from Prague, McDermott said, “Death approaches. We have nothing to lose!” Speaking from experience, Livingston said, “Death is coming, look busy!”
“I’m in a f***ing wheelchair!” said Ferguson, speaking out of turn, just as the drugs kicked in, or wore off… Far from posing an obstacle, tackling MS publicly and with the hilarious brash honesty DAAS is renowned for has brought more comedic fodder than either audience or performer might have thought possible or comfortable.
With boundless, enviable energy and enthusiasm, Ferguson has also this year co-written a new comedy play which premiered to much acclaim at Sydney Fringe; was Script Editor on Sammy J & Randy in Ricketts Lane, now on iView and soon to be on ABCTV; and directed a new Australian comedy feature film he co-wrote called Spin Out, shot on location in August/September and due for release in 2016.
Former Good News Week host Paul McDermott returned to TV hosting Room 101 on SBS and is one of five artists featured in the latest collectible set of FL Smalls with his book of art and prose, Fragments of the Hole.
Mentor, Paul Livingston (aka The Enigma) was modest when asked about his endeavours outside the group, including the success of his humourous and touching book, Absent Without Leave, saying only, “Don’t quote me”
With almost a century of comedic experience between them and no time to waste, the trio is proving the ravages of time have only made them more fierce and fearless, and their comedy more wicked and dangerous than ever.
The AllStars’ reputation for riotously funny and confronting social commentary, and the current state of domestic and international affairs, has audiences on the edge of their seats ready to die laughing, as DAAS satiate the die-hards and indoctrinate a new generation of fans with the cult comedy stylings that made them a ground-breaking phenomenon of the 80s and 90s, revived by hundreds of thousands of YouTube viewers today.
If you enjoy your humour with outrageous lashings of sex, violence, feminism, sex, hypnotism, drugs, songs, and sex, don’t miss the second coming of Australia’s preeminent comedy trio, starring three living legends of the art.
Near Death Experience
Harold Park Hotel, 70A Ross Street, Glebe (Sydney)
Performances: 20 – 21 October 2015
Bookings: www.moshtix.com.au
Regal Theatre, 474 Hay Street, Subiaco
Performances: 23 – 24 October 2015 – 8.00pm
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
The Arts Centre Theatre, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Performance: 13 November 2015 – 8.00pm
Bookings: www.theartscentregc.com.au
Image: Doug Anthony AllStars to appear in Near Death Experience – photo by Shane Rozario