Local Comedians to Give the Gift of Laughter

A Christmas Daryl. Photo credit: Ruth Trevaskis

With the silly season well and truly upon us, two local comedians are bringing their take on Christmas, A Christmas Daryl, to the Jazz Basement, Gateway Island, next Thursday, 6 December at 8pm.

In the best tradition of the season and improv theatre, Kyle Walmsley and Stu Mentha will unwrap and put the show together on the night:  no batteries required, just an audience open to a festive season experience that takes them out of the pressure cooker environment of Christmas.

Devised by Walmsley and Mentha, the parody on Charles Dickens’ much-loved classic, A Christmas Carol, promises to bring not only the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future but the prospect of a surprise bonus ghost.

Mentha said the show, like the best Christmas eggnog, aims to add some spice rather than stress to a time of year full of expectations to over indulge and spend too much.

“We’re not encouraging Scrooge like behaviour and being all ‘bah humbug’ about the season but reflecting the way many people feel at this time of year.

Photo credit: Ruth Trevaskis

“Coming to the show will give the audience the chance to enjoy an hour of escape – our own brand of off the wall comedy that will appeal to fans of the Umbilical Brothers, The Muppets and Monty Python, while enjoying some Christmas cheer,” Mentha said.

Gaulier/NIDA trained Walmsley and Mentha, author of four hit plays in Europe, delighted audiences with their Misguided Meditation at HotHouse Theatre’s September Galah Bar, while Walmsley’s one man show, In His Image at Wodonga’s The Cube in July showcasing the performer’s comedic, clown and acting skills was highly praised.

The recent Galah Bar sneak peek of A Christmas Daryl gave the sell out audience much food for thought.

Walmsley was a national finalist for the Northern Territory at the 2012 Melbourne Comedy Festival’s Raw Comedy Competition with one critic writing – “Kyle is a master clown and comedian. This is orchestrated chaos of the best kind” and his show How to Make a One Person Fringe Show in 3 Months won the award for Best Theatre at the Darwin Fringe Festival in 2017.

Playwright, Mentha also studied method acting at the Prague Playhouse and while in Prague received accolades for his shows False Friends (2013), and Cat Black (2014). Cat Black was No.1 pick of the Fringe.

Date: Thursday, December 6, 2018

Venue: The Jazz Basement, Gateway Island, Wodonga

Time: 8.00pm

Cost: All $15

Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/a-christmas-daryl-tickets-52857345744