His life doesn’t read like Kofi Annan or Anthony Keidis, but his uniquely physical and witty performance sure makes it seem a lot funnier. As an introduction delivered in a strangely compelling beatnik poetry style, Asher recounts how he was born in the era on the cusp of acceptable beatings and was raised by a man best described as a Cent-swazye (Centaur cross with Patrick Swayze). Both of which had a profound affect on his life leading him to eat from the hands of native Indians in Byron Bay, join the circus in Melbourne and ultimately stand up in front of strangers seeking their approval in the form of laughter.
Asher’s expansive vocabulary and creative word play is well befitted by his antiquated attire and initial confident, upperclass demeanour. Uniquely contrasting this is his extravagant and athletic leaps, thrusts and every so manly squats. The surprise highlight of the night was when he pulled out his obsession from his early twenties, a diablo – the juggling toy that was cool for 6 months in the nineties. The things that this man can do with that apparatus are ridiculous and will have you sliding off your seat with laughter. While Asher says that spending $10, 000 and three years of his life is a lame investment for a four minute juggling act with cock jokes, the audience definitely thought it was worthwhile. Troubadour is funny on many levels and you won’t leave disappointed.
