Be prepared to be distracted all over again.
Dynamic comedy duo The Umbilical Brothers (Shane Dundas and David Collins) return to Adelaide Fringe with their 'Best Comedy 2021'-winning show 'The Distraction'.
A hybrid of human performance, comedy, and special effects wizardry, 'The Distraction' feels so much like real magic, you're going to want to burn these two at the stake. It's a show unlike anything the pair have ever done, enabling screen addiction and taking it to a new level.
A screen above the stage will transport The Umbilical Brothers (and audiences!) to locations and scenarios it wouldn't be possible to experience in the moment without the boundless potential of technology. It's going to be a wild ride.
Here, we get a bit distracted and chat to one half of The Umbilical Brothers, David, about the show.
Tell us a bit about ‘The Distraction’.
It’s a show about screen addiction, with screens. You won’t be able to watch the humans performing live in front of you because you’ll be distracted by the ENORMOUS screen above them, which has everything they are doing on stage, but with added visual effects wizardry. I bet you watch the screen.
Why do you think audiences are so keen to see it again?
They’re keen? That’s good to hear. Probably the people that couldn’t get a ticket last time we were there. Oh, AGAIN? The show has repeat viewing because you’re always hoping to have your head exploded. Strange but true.
The Umbilical Brothers formed in 1988. What was it that made you want to come together on stage to perform?
We tried performing in different states, then different rooms. Turns out on the same stage at the same time was the way to go.
And after years of success and accolades, what do you think has kept the act fresh?
The trick is to keep it fresh for ourselves. If we do that then the audience will follow. If we’re not making each other laugh, what’s the point? Also, I keep Shane in a fridge.
Do you have a particularly funny audience response moment in recent years that sticks out in memory?
We toured stadiums with Robin Williams and hearing him side of stage laughing at our stuff was very special. He MUST have known how distracting he was. What a dick.
Without giving too much away, is there anything major about the original ‘The Distraction’ you’ve changed/played around with for the second time around?
There are more exploding heads. And by that I mean more of the audience’s heads explode. It was a hit, so we just kept adding more. We still haven’t found our exploding audience head limit.
What’s your favourite part of the show?
We have a segment called Baby Sports, in which, well, babies are playing sports. Sometimes they replace the ball. Anyway, there is one Baby Sport which is so wrong I know it’s coming, Shane knows it’s coming, then it comes and the sound the audience make is fascinating. Is there a word for that sound that is somewhere between a gasp and a laugh?
What are you looking forward to most about playing Adelaide Fringe again?
There’s been so many lockdowns since then. We’ve learnt the value of open space. Can’t wait.
Describe the show using a movie quote of your choice.
“You call that a twist ending? I totally saw that comin- OH MY GOOOOOD!”
'The Distraction' plays Babylon at The Garden Of Unearthly Delights (Adelaide Fringe) 28 February-6 March.
