Review by Steve Bennett at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

If using a guitar in comedy is cheating, what is it when you have a full high-powered sound system with a multi-instrumentalist DJ behind you? The answer is Aunty Donna. If comedy was once the new rock and roll, they are the hottest superclub, with high-octane performances and pumping soundtrack.

There is no room for subtlety in their world, with boldly drawn characters and brash, emphatic delivery – both a strength that gives them their distinctive attitude and a weakness for the limitations it imposes. But never mind that, because any shortcomings can be drowned out by the sheer volume of performance or tagged with an energising blast of music… like an elaborate 21st Century version of the drummer’s rim shot. B’dom-tish!

There is no mistaking the fun and vitality the trio inject into their rambunctious work, a 60-minute blast of anarchic attitude and passionate showmanship as they clamber into the crowd, tease each other over missteps and dance vigorously around the stage. 

Broden Kelly tends to be the domineering father figure keeping his two misbehaving scamps, Mark Bonanno and Zachary Ruane, in order as Tom Armstrong provides those all-important musical stings. But maturity is not their catchword, and all are overgrown children, acting up maniacally.

It’s not often you’d describe comedy sketches as ‘catchy’ – but the language of pop seems appropriate for skits such as Everything Is A Drum, silly and exaggerated as it is. They have the loudest mime sketch you’ll witness, amusingly mangle language until it’s reduced to base sounds and preposterously overblown backchat.

Quieter scenes – if only by comparison – wittily recreate minor social awkwardnesses, such as running into an acquaintance in the supermarket aisles, cringes that are universally identifiable.

There are a few sketches that don’t quite pay off, and the recurring storyline of  Zachary being thrown out of the group seems laboured, but they perform everything with such conviction that persuades you that it MUST be good, whatever your gut feeling. No wonder they can spread an infectious fervour through the room.

Unapologetic is probably the word – if you’re going to do a fart gag, do it big. And there is none bigger, or louder, than Aunty Donna.

Review date: 11 Apr 2017
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett