We are here to see New Zealand’s ‘Loudest Mime’, Mr Fungus (Fergus Aitken). He bumbles through the door with a blend of mime and physical humour to strains of Mozart’s Lacrimosa. Chuckles run through the audience as our hapless yet unstoppable hero overcomes the difficulties of everyday life seized by moments of magic and wonder.

The stage is set with lo-fi props announcing that indomitable Mr Fungus has arrived in Wellington. We progress through a variety of engaging pieces that bring this world to life, with Mr Fungus cleverly playing with our expectations. Two highlights for me are a very familiar bus ride transformed through music, and a wonderful exploration of time and space with a suitcase freed from the laws of physics.

The Wellington Fringe Festival is always an exciting time to take a risk on a wide range of a theatre. The tickets prices are lower but often the rewards are higher. I’m really excited to be able to take my young ones to a Fringe show. Mr Fungus is a fantastic choice: it has enough edge to feel firmly Fringe and is absolutely satisfying for my children.

It can be easy to make kids laugh but harder to keep them engaged and on the edge of their seats, but Mr Fungus does, at least until the end when they charge the stage with all the excitement. At lunch while noshing down on Rainbow Bagels, I ask if they would go next year, and they tell me without pause they would go tomorrow. 

Fergus Aitken and director Fraser Hooper deliver the goods. This is engaged, smart and skilled physical humour for all ages. A real gem.

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