REVIEW: Wil Anderson’s shame is our pleasure

Wil Anderson – Free Wil | Riverside Theatre | Until Oct 10

★ ★ ★ ★

Arguably Australia’s most well-known comic, Wil Anderson’s influence has crept across the globe. From stand-up, to hosting festivals, television and podcasts, Anderson has carved a name for himself with his charm, honesty and talent. His latest show, ‘Free Wil’ showcases Anderson’s affable personality for an awesome night of comedy.

Opening with a very touching story about his darkest personal shame – I won’t ruin it – Anderson has the crowd in stitches from the get-go by sharing his little secret. Thematic self-deprecation runs throughout the performance, as he tears himself to shreds for your pleasure.

Anderson is currently celebrating his 20^th year of stand-up, which one can appreciate is a solid achievement in Aussie comedy. Anderson has the ability to make his exclusive high-flying life sound as excruciating and mundane as anyone’s – but his curiosity seems to lead him to the strangest situations. Sharing a tale from his last trip to the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, Anderson tells of an aerial encounter that generated some strange sounds from the sci-fi fans in the audience (again, I won’t ruin it).

Anderson is like many comedians, a storyteller first and foremost. His anecdotes, which at times become tangential rants about babies in the audience, are cunningly weaved into one another – tying the set into one fully finished joke. ‘Free Wil’ is a neatly polished set of crazy capers that make it easy to see why he’s made it 20 years in the business.

‘Free Wil’ is playing tonight, Saturday August 8^th at the Riverside Theatre, Perth Exhibition Centre. Tickets available from Ticketek.com