Theatre Review: The Sydney Fringe

The Sydney Fringe

The Factory Theatre Marrickville

Spanking the Age Barrier - Denzo

Sometimes Give Up - Simon Bower

Split Bill - Maddie Dockrill and Mariah Nickolas

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP, MAICD

With six individual venues within the complex, The Factory Theatre is hosting numerous Sydney Fringe shows every night this month. I caught three acts in one night. 

Denzo, who won the 2025 Australia’s Funniest Boomer award, presented Spanking the Age Barrier. We found out the amusing side of what it’s like to be 73 years old. His father ran boxing tents that toured Australia and two of his brothers were Australian welterweight champions. His carnival background comes through. With a musical number at the end, it was the best I've seen him. Part of Denzo’s competition prize is a cruise, which seems appropriate for someone of his age.

Then came Simon Bower in Sometimes Give Up. W.C. Fields once said, "If at first you don't succeed, give up. There's no use being a damn fool about it". Bower demonstrated the benefits of quitting and supported his point with historical examples. Bower is thoughtful to the point of occasionally rambling. He’s a bit self-conscious, has an appealing stage presence and projects an asexual, student vibe.

Two young female comedians, Maddie Dockrill and Mariah Nickolas, presented Split Bill. After a couple of quotes from the movie, they admitted that they called the show that name for no other reason than to have a cool visual in the style of Kill Bill on the brochure. Other than the two one-liners, the show had nothing to do with the film. The term “click bait” came to mind. With the proliferation of reality television there has been a shift in the appreciation and perception of talent. The sold-out room was filled with millennials who lapped up the monologues.