Heath Franklin’s Chopper is not for the faint of heart.
Bursting through the double doors of theatre two at the Athenaeum, Chopper marched up to the stage, complete with military jacket, ready to begin his rant.
Modestly set, the small stage held two Carlton Draught stubbies resting on an end table, a lectern and a projector screen. Yet it was all Chopper needed to tell the crowd that Australia is in trouble.
Sitting in a dimly lit room, with the only light source coming from red spotlights, Rock the Casbah by the Clash roared over the speaker system, hyping up a room filled with a predominately male crowd.
Finally, after a fifteen minute delay, the show was off and running. Chopper quickly launched into a topic of contention, Australian politics. Effortlessly naming Prime Ministers who have failed the country.
Franklin’s portrayal of Chopper sets his comedy style into the character genre, telling jokes and offering observational and intelligent insights into the workings of Australia. Making the show an outlet where Australians can sit back and laugh at the country and themselves.
While the production value of the show wasn’t exorbitant, Chopper made good use of his props, regularly turning to the projector to show the audience that in his Republic of Anzakistan, Australia would be very different.
Sentences were full of profanity and jokes mostly picked at particular demographics. But that didn’t deter the crowd. The audience reveled in his plans for the Anzakistan flag and anthem. So much so that as Chopper left the theatre, the crowd formed a procession as we shouted the new anthem behind our new leader.
Chopper’s no nonsense approach to politics and even his comedy show surpassed expectations for the night. Rather than listening to an unprecedented rant, Chopper made relevant points and while outlandish, provided ideas to restore Australia to its former glory.
Franklin’s Chopper may be a man’s man, yet the show caters to anyone who loves the Australian way of life and a rant about vegans. Despite his confrontational style, Franklin’s performance is clever, thought provoking and a good laugh.
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