Famous Mr Fungus (Fergus Aitken) is back as part of KidzStuff Theatre. He’s on at the Tararua Tramping Club and I’m not surprised to find him outside the hall before the show greeting his early arriving audience while effusively silent. Resplendently dressed, his outfit complemented with bowler hat and yellow bow tie, to the sound of ‘Just Take Five’, he has to take a few more for some late arrivals to settle.

Then it’s Mr Fungus with his familiar trademark moon walk and suitcase, the contents of which remain a mystery till much later.  The mat for kids in front of the stage is a welcome spot for viewers who are by turns bemused and entertained by a performer who says everything with movement. That said, there’s plenty of sound – everything from ‘O sole mio’ to ‘Star Wars’.

Mime is Mr Fungus’ forte and offers special delights which we savour during a bus ride in a Wellington downpour and attempts to eat a banana while strap hanging.

Now he dives offstage and we get a black box that turns out to be a miniature theatre – and we get to learn the contents of the suitcase. And there’s a show within a show as our performer turns juggler – a high point, in more ways than one. You could say it’s a balls-up, but it’s a good one.

The finale is a fit conclusion to an entertaining experience and kids are left with unusual souvenirs.

Fergus Aitken is the creator and performer of Mr Fungus; Amalia Calder is the director and Alice Simpson the technician.  

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Mime has been quiet for a while (see what I did there?) but now it’s back for a new generation in the shape of Fergus Aitken’s Mr Fungus. Parents and even grandparents with fond memories of this talented performer have been heard exclaiming, “Oh wow, is he still around?” which may account for the whole season being ‘sold out’ (albeit under ‘reduced capacity’ while Level Two restrictions apply).  

Developed by Fergus with director Fraser Hooper, the show starts with a radio advertisement (voiced by Kim Potter) for the show at Circa which reminds Mr Fungus – enjoying his morning coffee at home, behind his front windows and doors – that he has to go and do this thing. But not before he cleans specks of dirt off his windows: cue classic window cleaning gags.  

Also classic is the sudden burst of Wellington wind and rain that provokes a manifestation of unseen forces that have this fully grown man at their mercy. The sound design, by Fergus and Fraser, bring the weather and traffic into the space as well as accompanying the varied routines with an eclectic range of music from jazz through opera, to climax with Carl Orff’s ‘Carmina Burana’ cantata.

Waiting for the bus is its own routine, then the actual bus ride reveals a diverse collection of passengers as well as the bus driver. A pause to read a newspaper brings ever-increasing surprises. A couple of bananas meet for a chat … All this before Mr Fungus arrives at the ‘Stage Door’. His name appears in lights above a red curtain and the show proper begins.

His dexterity with a small silver suitcase that seems to have a mind of its own proves Fergus is an extremely accomplished mime. His juggling skills with balls, his hat and a walking stick are also impressive. As for the way he uses a short bit of rope lodged in mid air to raise himself right off the ground …!

But it’s the way Mr F offsets his desire for approval and applause with a slightly clumsy vulnerability when things don’t quite come off that draws us closer to him. Fortunately his Technical Director, Mike Ainsworth, is on hand to assist where needed. And there’s a bit of something going on with the lighting (and sound) operator, Jack Sutton, which maybe could be developed some more.

Long balloons in many colours take centre stage for the finale, and they’re used in some unpredictable ways to bring the show to a breath-taking end. My 9-year-old companion sums it up well: funny and charming. 

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