The Fringe is finally upon us and the program for 2024 offers no end of shows to suit any mood. Comedians are certainly a saturated market when it comes to the Fringe, it can be overwhelming to decide who to see considering most of Australian comedy royalty makes an appearance. I try to visit one comedian each year, and this time it was Peter Helliar’s turn. Helliar’s show, ‘Pete Helliar Gives Zero Flips’ is not only my first comedian of the 24 Fringe season, but also my first show of the 24 Fringe as a whole.
Comedians have a really tough time nowadays to create topical, original routines that, above all, make people laugh. Thankfully, Helliar is no stranger to this criteria and delivers in spades. Not only is Helliar topical, intellectual and brave in his routine, he pushes the boundaries of comedy without overstepping, and he manages to make valid social commentary amongst a diverse audience without - as far as I could tell - offending a single soul in the crowd. We don’t even hope to expect this much in a one hour, one man, stand up comedy show, and yet Helliar delivers - all the while making me beam from ear to ear.
I consider it a good sign when I need to massage my jaw from all the laughter and smiling I’d engaged with over the last hour, and my mum was the same. This is a testament to the range that Helliar has. He himself is an older comedian, nearing 50 as he proclaims in his routine, and his jokes understandably resonate with people of similar circumstances. Still, Helliar remains relevant even to the younger generation, whether poking fun at us via anecdotes about his own children, or from remarking on the broader landscape that we find ourselves in.
If you’re shortlisting ways to have a fun, side-splitting evening amongst the electric atmosphere of the Garden of Unearthly Delights, then Peter Helliar Gives Zero Flips should be at the top. The show offers incredible value compared to other, pricey shows, and the hour-long routine is long enough to have a thorough laugh, but still gives enough time to enjoy the rest that the Fringe has to offer. Don’t miss the opportunity to see an undeniable Fringe mainstay, and Australian comedic icon.
To book tickets, head to the link: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/pete-helliar-gives-zero-flips-af2024
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