You know when a show opens with “Hi everybody!” and the whole crowd yells back, “Hi Dr Nick!” that you’re in for a good time. And Melbourne-born, London based Yianni Agisilaou’s show is a really good time, with 27 years of the world’s favourite four-fingered, yellow family celebrated in all their glory.
For his opening show at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, boundaries between performer and crowd were established early. Agisilaou insisted, “you can heckle, but only if it’s a Simpsons quote.” It seemed like a reasonable condition, and the rule was closely observed. And hell, if you didn’t understand his jokes, well, “that’s not my failure, it’s your ignorance,” he continued, beaming.
With a love for impersonations born at age 11, (with Bob Hawke his muse), Agisilaou began a life dedicated to this most sincere form of flattery. It was then unsurprising to see Simpsons’ characters – Homer, Lionel Hutz and Krusty the Clown to name just a few – come to life right before your eyes in the show.
The show could have easily been an hour of reeling off favoured Simpsons’ quotes and one-liners (though there was no shortage), but the beauty of the show is that Agisilaou invites the audience to reflect on all the genuinely amazing things The Simpsons have taught us, and celebrates the continued application of their plots and characters.
He details the show’s perfect political parodies (think season eight, episode one, Citizen Kang), and suggests that ousted Prime Minister Tony Abbott himself could have dodged a fall from grace had he realised Australians simply wanted more policy based on The Simpsons. We’re reminded that the show brilliantly challenges the mainstream and pop culture (check out season five, episode 14, Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy), and how could we forget the everlasting Springfield vs. Shelbyville feud (look no further than season six, episode 24, Lemon of Troy), which is a superb allegory of the Melbourne vs. Sydney rivalry.
Further to exhibiting that The Simpsons are disturbingly true to life, when Agisilaou undertakes the Jeremy Irons Anagram Game (a nod to season six, episode two, Lisa’s Rival), he reveals there’s more to character names than first thought. Barney Gumble aptly rearranges to “bulgy beer man,” while Waylon Smithers is summarised by the less tasteful “anyhow, let’s rim”.
It’s a show that engages the audience in the best way – no late entrants singled out and shamed, or awkward, giggle-filled on-stage cameos, but rather people call out and participate because they want to participate; because they really, truly love The Simpsons.
The show validates and rejoices at the lives guided, educated and informed by one of the greatest cartoons of all time. So if you don’t know or love The Simpsons, this is probably not the show for you. But then again, if you don’t love The Simpsons, it’s time to take a long, hard look at yourself.
BY IZZY TOLHURST
