NO, I’M NOT AUSTRALIAN
Fringe Bar, 26-32 Allen St, Te Aro, Wellington
27/02/2021 - 27/02/2021
Production Details
Fresh faced Songbird and stand up comedian, Ocean Denham has exploded onto the New Zealand comedy scene. Graduating from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA) in 2018, Ocean promptly jetted off to Europe and began slinging jokes around some of the top UK comedy spots.
No, I’m not Australian is one of four self-written works by 2020 Best Variety Act nominee at ‘The Goodies,’ Ocean Denham. She’s been making waves and a name for herself despite being pretty new to stand up.
“Hot tip: make sure you know the name Öcean Denham.” – Backstage Christchurch reviewer, Sophie Ricketts.
Ocean’s comedy is geared towards real life experiences, she doesn’t shy away from being raw and honest; you better believe she doesn’t skip the good stuff AKA the embarrassing AF stories!
This show is a look at life in London from a Kiwi gals perspective – genuine, endearing and absolutely hilarious.
You can catch No I’m not Australian at Fringe Bar, the iconic cabaret and comedy venue in Wellington on the 27th February 2021. This event is proudly part of New Zealand Fringe Festival, go on, support local arts!
Fringe Bar, 26-32 Allen Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Saturday 27th Feb
8:00pm
General Admission: $10, Fringe Addict: $7
https://tinyurl.com/y8dulapd
Wheelchair Accessible R18
Theatre , Stand-up comedy ,
1 hr
May go down well in Australia
Review by Margaret Austin 28th Feb 2021
This show’s title embodies a protest made by thousands of New Zealanders on their OE – and its familiarity is evidenced by the instant raucous laughter greeting NZer returned Ocean Denham, onstage at the Fringe Bar.
We’re going on a journey of discovery she informs us. This is the only cliché we get to hear thankfully. But it’s still cringeworthy – motivational speakers have long ago worn it out.
There’s not much that’s motivational here unless you count the observation that material relying on large doses of profanity – use of the ‘f’ word 45 times (I counted) – plus a theme of scatology (use of the ‘sh’ word more than 20 times) clearly appeal to a large number of the packed house.
We accompany our performer from NZ via Dubai to Gatwick and thence to London and a flat in Putney. There are flatmates, boyfriends and her first gig. Plus a party she turns up to with a boxed wine, only to discover she’s surrounded by Moet sipping guests. Does that say it all?
Denham gifts herself with the descriptor ‘feminist’. If by that she imagines it means freedom to unleash material about the least lovely of our bodily functions I just hope she’s mistaken. And I’m thankful her experiences of toilets, and her need of them, didn’t extend to the hole-in-the floor variety so often encountered in Europe.
That said, like all stand-up comedians, Denham deserves praise for what is surely the most difficult of theatrical feats. Holding an audience happily captive for 45 minutes is easily accomplished by our performer. Her delivery is slickly professional, as is her manner (if not her manners).
And though Denham may not be Australian, I suspect she’d fit in well there.
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