Cell Block Party isn’t just another fringe show from Mr Al and Mr Nick – this is their platform for launching their television pilot. But they’re generous guys, and have decided to treat the audience with a full length show to precede the screening.
Though Mr. Al and Mr. Nick are rarely seen outside of the Fringe Festival, they’ve been pumping out Fringe shows for a few years now and they have a fine grasp of comedy. The onstage interaction between Nick and Al has been refined over the years, and they bounce off each other naturally and with a great deal antogonism. They manage to maintain a sense of barely controlled chaos where you’re not sure what’s being improvised and what’s prepared.
Television reanactments and Nick’s ranting about his switchboard work provide some great laughs, as does a mock interview with an ALP representative. Some great criticism of life come out in their ‘shitlist’ section, and at times their cynicism could very easily decent into ranting, but they know exactly where the line is.
The television pilot has been put together without the blessing of any network, and the poor sound quality in some scenes really shows this lack of budget, but the comedy shines through. It reminds me of some of the best of Lano & Woodley’s ABC series, with less of the slapstick and a blacker edge to the comedy. There’s some absolutely hilarious moments, and a willingness to break down the fourth wall to mix in some great absurdity. The cast consists of friends – notably including comedians Andrew McClelland, Lawrence Leung and Courteney Hocking – and though the inexperience of most of the performers is apparent, all the comedy flows through brilliantly. If this series manages to get some backing, it could well be some of the best television comedy in recent times.
This is a great show, and definitely your only chance to see their television show in it’s raw form. Go along, and take a couple of T.V. executives with you.