Tag Archives: THE PALMS AT CROWN

Akmal Salem performing The Palms at Crown

Review by JC Harvey for Open Media

Before yet another sell-out crowd, Akmal Saleh delivers quality entertainment with his own unique brand of ridicule, imitation and criticism.

Akmal Saleh performed at The Palms at Crown, during MICF 2019

With sarcastic wit wrapped in an annoying mock-bogan twang, Akmal’s show for this year’s festival revolves around identity and the irony of belonging, pointing out with humour and mockery the tribalism which plagues us all.

From petrol heads and politicians to surfer dudes, paranoid conspiracy theorists to violent alcoholic miners itching for vegan blood, Saleh spares none the whip.

His subtly extreme style attempts to reveal to the audience that the choices we make become the characters we are, and that clan mentality has become ridiculous in its quirky, cliquey divisiveness.

We all enjoy a good laugh at the stupid, crazy stuff people do, and Akmal shows he is just as stupid and judgemental as the best of them, with self-deprecating tales of bad judgement and missed opportunities.

With a career spanning decades, Akmal Saleh knows his audience and he can work the crowd. His excessive, zany bogan-bashing style has kept him off the dole since at least 2002.

His style has strength in considered, well rehearsed observational humour, tall tales, and practiced interactions with the front rows, but, as with his years on radio, improvisation can leave him grasping at straws.

Whether you are a fan or a critic, Akmal Saleh will not just make you laugh, he will give you pause to consider the role you’ve chosen to play, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll finally understand that you are a minority of one. Just like the rest of us.

CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA

DIRECT FROM SELL-OUT BROADWAY SEASON, THIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PHENOMENON RETURNS  FOR IT’S  AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2014

There is nothing quite like the reverberating pulse of sprit that transcends from culture, instilling in us a sense of presence, wonder and magic. I have personally had the privilege of producing three Australian indigenous theatre productions many years ago and was taken on wild, exotic and palpably enriching mind, body and soul experiences in the doing.

Cirque Mother Africa promises an unforgettable and unique dimension; encompassing a collaboration of nine distinct cultural representations from across the African continent including Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Benin, Zimbabwe and Guinea.

This fantastic show seen by more than two million people worldwide is known as a delight for the senses that evokes passion and demands a resonating response. 

It is a joy to have the chance of experiencing the traditional and contemporary essence of one of our world’s unique and magnificent continents via the grandeur of theatre. 

‘Spectacular and colourful, in the tradition of cirque performances. The show of the year.’

– Time Out, London

Zulu Dance
Zulu Dance  

VICTORIAN TOUR DATES:

Monday 2nd June – WENDOUREE CENTRE OF PERFORMING ARTS, BALLARAT – Bookings: (03) 5338 0980

Tuesday 3rd June – EASTBANK CENTRE, SHEPPARTON – Bookings: (03) 5832 6511

Thursday 5th June – FRANKSTON ARTS CENTRE – Bookings: (03) 9784 1060

Friday 6th June – ESSO BHP BILLITON WELLINGTON ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE, SALE – Bookings: (03) 5143 3200

Saturday 7th June – WEST GIPPSLAND ARTS CENTRE, WARRAGUL – Bookings: (03) 5624 2456

Tuesday 10th June – FORD THEATRE, GEELONG – Bookings: (03) 5225 1200

Wednesday 11th June – SWAN HILL TOWN HALL – Bookings: (03) 5036 2542

Thursday 12th June – THE CAPITAL, BENDIGO PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE – Bookings: (03) 5434 6100

Friday 13th June – THE PALMS AT CROWN, MELBOURNE – Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012

Monday 16th June – LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE, WARRNAMBOOL – Bookings: (03) 5559 4999

Silethemba Magonya, Brenda Mafojane, Bongi Mtshali, Noma Mkwananazie
Silethemba Magonya, Brenda Mafojane, Bongi Mtshali, Noma Mkwananazie