Sam Simmons – Death of a Sails Man
Reviewed by Ineke Mules
The mind of Sam Simmons is a strange place indeed.
Fresh off a well-received stand-up spot on US late night talk show Conan, the former Triple J presenter is bringing his bizarre brand of comedy back to his native Adelaide for a string of shows at the Garden of Unearthly Delights. And what a show it is.
Death of A Sails Man tells the story of an obnoxious muesli-bar mogul who finds himself lost at sea while windsurfing. The premise is simple, however the execution is anything but. Over the course of the next hour we fittingly watch his descent into madness as he faces his own mortality, complete with a series of oversized cardboard cut-out props, increasingly vulgar arguments with his own subconscious and a Castaway-esque oyster named Troy.
To merely say that Simmons is a unique performer would be an understatement. Perhaps more so than any other Fringe artist he is not afraid to push the boundaries of unconventional comedy. There is barely a hint of deadpan or even satire as Simmons introduces onlookers to his world of the absurd. From multiple allusions to bestiality to indifferently snacking on a chap-stick, nothing is off limits here. Often the audience isn’t sure whether to laugh or cringe; although Simmons will occasionally break the fourth-wall and derisively scold them for the latter.
For some it may come across as blatant shock humour. But, Simmons inimitable style, bizarre though it may be, is also somewhat refreshing to see, particularly in a genre which often favours stand-up over surreal character comedy. Simmons isn’t looking to deliver the perfect one-liner or offer witty commentary on current affairs. He is simply being his silly-self and uses his comic talent to shape his unruly imagination into a hilarious narrative, which is really what good comedy is all about.
It might not be to everybody’s taste, but there is no denying Simmons’ originality and appreciation for the weirder side of life.
