Review: Nick Capper’s ‘Tuxedo Traveller’ is a wild, bamboozling ride chock-full of laughs
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Review: Nick Capper’s ‘Tuxedo Traveller’ is a wild, bamboozling ride chock-full of laughs

A master of the unexpected, Nick Capper’s punchlines sneak up on you every time.

When Nick Capper walked onstage in a full set of tails and top hat, following a brief introductory video outlining the premise of the show, you’d be forgiven for thinking The Hives were about to play an intimate set.

The short video explained how a friend’s podcast called The Little Dum Dum Club, hosted by Tommy Dassalo and Karl Chandler, crowdfunded sending Capper to London in the worst way possible.

Capper explained that having been born in a small, one-horse-town, he was always worried about not having travelled, so, despite the less-than-desirable requisites of his sponsored journey, he jumped at the chance to go to London.

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A Facebook group dedicated to his adventure was shared far and wide, with people pledging amounts for Capper to do challenges. His main requirement was to wear a tuxedo the entire trip. Other stipulations included having to ask for a massage from the first person he met in each country.

Fellow comedian Brett Blake gave him $100 to wear make-up for the journey while internationally recognised TV star and comedian Russell Howard promised him £500 to straighten his trademark curls.

Those who have flown to London via Brunei and the U.A.E. might think they already know the worst way to get there, but Capper did it much rougher.

He flew via Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Beijing, Germany and Poland, even stopping in Belgrade, Serbia, where, in an attempt to fit in with the locals, he bought a hat which he later found out was a replica of a war criminal’s hat. That didn’t help endear him to the locals when later performing at a comedy club.

During Capper’s show, he showcased a PowerPoint presentation loaded with images and clips matched to audio stingers, all of which he used to great effect. Each time he was about to reveal the next country he’d visited, he’d use clips and music that had everyone thinking they knew what was coming, only to pull the rug out from under them.

Capper is the master of the comedic bait and switch. He sets up a scenario, premise or joke and then takes it in a totally unexpected direction.

So successful was Capper’s journey to London, The Little Dum Dum Club sent him from Melbourne to Newcastle, again via some of the smallest and ‘shittest towns in Australia’.

However, as Capper says, going to these places is where you get the best stories.

Capper’s energy as a performer is palpable. He rocks side to side and uses unexpected phrasing and language in a way that sets him apart from any other comedian.

The Tuxedo Traveller is an hour of laughter from start to finish. Make sure you have a beverage in hand, you’ll need a refresher after wearing your out throat cackling for the show’s duration.

The only downside of Capper’s 2021 show at the Comedy Festival is that he put it on for such a limited run.

 

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