THE FUNRAI$ER
by Dazzle & Razzle
Created and performed by Dave Houston & Raji Renshaw
"The human race has only one really effective weapon, and that is laughter." – Mark Twain
“Dazzle and Razzle are that weapon, strapped to a rocket, ignoring the disability safety instructions
and now with absolutely no fucking off switch.” Australian Federal Police.
THE FUNRAI$ER – Synopsis
AWKward is a fast-paced, comedic theatre show that thrives on improvisation, multimedia, and unfiltered honesty. Set both on stage and in the actors' private dressing room—where they think the audience can’t see them—the show unpacks the tensions, absurdities, and uncomfortable realities of modern Australia.
Audiences are taken on a wild ride through a disastrous funeral scene, a nerve-wracking film audition, and a painfully cringeworthy bus stop encounter that exposes casual racism. Between scenes, the actors drop their performance personas, revealing the unspoken struggles, ego clashes, and personal tensions behind the comedy.
Blending sharp wit, physical comedy, and raw truth, AWKward makes audiences laugh, squirm, and reflect. No moment is off-limits as the show flips between hilarity and tension, forcing us to confront the messy, complicated nature of identity, privilege, and human connection.
Audiences are taken on a wild ride through a disastrous funeral scene, a nerve-wracking film audition, and a painfully cringeworthy bus stop encounter that exposes casual racism. Between scenes, the actors drop their performance personas, revealing the unspoken struggles, ego clashes, and personal tensions behind the comedy.
Blending sharp wit, physical comedy, and raw truth, AWKward makes audiences laugh, squirm, and reflect. No moment is off-limits as the show flips between hilarity and tension, forcing us to confront the messy, complicated nature of identity, privilege, and human connection.
About the performance
From confronting truths about cultural identity to Australia’s obsession with sport and the absurdities of showbiz, AWKward offers a powerful reflection on the meaning of friendship in a diverse world. Audiences will experience moments that provoke laughter, cringes, self-awareness, and reflection on navigating relationships in a multicultural society.
Developed in New York City (July 2024) by Australian theatre-makers Mitch King and Dave Houston, AWKward artfully blends humour with social commentary. Mitch King, an Indigenous dancer, musician, and actor from the Bundjalung nation, brings his cultural heritage to life on stage, while Dave Houston, an actor and comic of Anglo-Celtic descent, adds his comedic flair. Together, they create a dynamic performance, seamlessly shifting between serious and playful scenes, often using theatre and video footage to address deeper issues.
The show is directed by Craig Mathewson, an accomplished writer and director specialising in cross-cultural theatre with Indigenous artists. Mathewson has directed nine productions that have toured major festivals and reached thousands of Indigenous audiences across Australia’s remote communities.
Don’t miss AWKward— a performance that uses comedy to spark critical conversations about similarities, cultural differences, and the resilience of friendship.
Developed in New York City (July 2024) by Australian theatre-makers Mitch King and Dave Houston, AWKward artfully blends humour with social commentary. Mitch King, an Indigenous dancer, musician, and actor from the Bundjalung nation, brings his cultural heritage to life on stage, while Dave Houston, an actor and comic of Anglo-Celtic descent, adds his comedic flair. Together, they create a dynamic performance, seamlessly shifting between serious and playful scenes, often using theatre and video footage to address deeper issues.
The show is directed by Craig Mathewson, an accomplished writer and director specialising in cross-cultural theatre with Indigenous artists. Mathewson has directed nine productions that have toured major festivals and reached thousands of Indigenous audiences across Australia’s remote communities.
Don’t miss AWKward— a performance that uses comedy to spark critical conversations about similarities, cultural differences, and the resilience of friendship.
"A day without laughter is a day wasted." – Charlie Chaplin
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The making of AWKward from New York City
In the heat of a New York City summer, July 2024, two best mates embark on a creative residency at The Mothership in Brooklyn. Sharing a room for a month, making their own coffees, to save $12 Aussie bucks on a cafe latte - this is what they came up with.
Dave Houston & Mitch King are AWKward Footage from Brett Stephens, Mitch King, Dave Houston, edited by Brett Stephens. |
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