In a highly entertaining romp through Bryson's trip across Australia,jokes and observations from the book are funnier still from the mouth of Steve Steen.
The book was a great travelogue, but Steen is laugh out loud funny in a mix of stand up comedy, a play and a set as barren as the outback.
He does all the characters, but his presence and talent for accents and comic timing coupled with clever sounds and lighting carry it off effortlessly taking us from Perth to Sydney on the train.
Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, The Gold Coast, Darwin, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, the people, places, hotels and even wildlife are mecilessly pilloried in a light US drawl.
With odd bits added in and radio cricket excerpts with more than a passing nod to the classic Aussie comic commentary compilation "The 12th Man" the evening never slowed.
Bill Bryson's Down Under concludes using the Arena's excellent small atmosphere tonight before continuing on it's UK tour.
Gill Bonnet - May 5th
Express & Star
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