Akmal has been a staple of the Aussie comedy scene since the ‘90s. Whether you’ve seen him make stuff up on Thank God You’re Here, show us how to be the perfect panel guest on Good News Week, or sell out stages with his stand-up, there’s no question Akmal is a pro with the funny stuff.
His latest show brings his classic scatterbrain approach to the stage and shows us why he was born to be up there. While it moves at a rapid pace, the hour takes us through the world of scams, with everything from crystals to babies in the firing line.
The show kicks off with a bit of a change from the style we’ve come to know and love from Akmal. He interacts with a pre-recorded video of himself. While I won’t spoil the content of the video here, I will say it is a good aperitif. There is talk about the changes in sensitivities over time, but it is done in such a smart way. No matter what your view is about it all, you’ll find humour in the way Akmal presents it.
But this is swiftly shut down in exchange for a discussion on the world of scams. Kicking off with hippie culture’s reiki and crystals, Akmal shares stories about his journey through the hippie scene. It’s almost like an Aussie / Akmal version of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
He then dives into the world of babies, gambling, and religion, all areas that may not seem rife with jokes. But Akmal manages to mine the perfect content, throwing in impressions of Pauline Hanson, his family, and even tip cats.
While his scripted stuff is still top-tier, he really comes to life when he’s interacting with the crowd, making it feel like you’re sitting together at the dinner table. Whether he’s having banter with the front row or throwing a question into the crowd, you can feel the energy when it is off the cuff.
While some comedians have their well-rehearsed hour and deliver it verbatim, Akmal’s brand is different, but it’s so enjoyable to watch. When the slightest distraction comes from the audience, Akmal is on it and has a solid reaction, ready to go.
The hour finishes off with questions from the crowd, with Akmal managing to rein in the energy and close out the show. In doing so, he shows us why he’s still one of the best, even three decades after debuting on the scene.
Akmal is performing until 20 April at the Athenaeum Theatre as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/akmal-tickets/artist/1152142
Website: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/
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