Suns of Fred – Excited!!! review

Depressed? Just ‘do a body roll!’ That’s the kind of chirpy, straightforward guidance you get from Suns of Fred, and they’re more than willing to take their own advice and perform a quick demonstration. This Aussie musical comedy trio are relentlessly smiley and upbeat – it’s adorable.

Sly, Fox and Mickey J make up this boyband who never grew up. The Perth trio’s dance routines are elaborate, their harmonies are tight and their quiffs are strong. Strangely, though, for a musical comedy troupe, their songs are their biggest weakness.

The trio’s lyrical wit is pretty banal. ‘Computer Freak’, about being sexually attracted to a PC, includes predictable double-entendres about floppy discs. They’ve thought of a pun on a Lady Gaga hit and worked backwards in ‘Smoker Face’. And I’m still baffled by their parody of the Ting Tings’s ‘That’s Not My Name’.

There are some redeeming tunes. ‘Bromance’ is a joyful celebration of sexuality, and ‘Side Boob’ (and its playful follow-up ‘Side Dick’) are both gleefully stupid, and feature very silly dance routines.

It’s the troupe’s physical comedy that holds this show together. Besides the choreography Suns of Fred have some impressive mime skits, including a miserable roller coaster ride and a ‘Chariots of Fire’ spoof. If they weren’t such affable performers it would be tough hour, but their charisma pulls them through. Enjoyable enough, but nothing to get too excited about.

‘Excited!!!’ is at the Pleasance Courtyard, 11pm