DATING THE WORLD

Stephen Sheehan feels most at home on stage. He has a list of artistic accreditations from his long spanning career as an actor, comedian and performer that would easily stretch past a few pages. His latest comedy show which is due to premiere at the Sydney Fringe Festival in September will be an inquisitive and humorous exploration of the dualities of the physical and verbal scenarios of an onstage drama.

Sheehan brings the character of Stevl Shefn alive once more, having nabbed the Best Comedy at the Adelaide Fringe Festival in 2010, but this time he is accompanied by fellow actor and performer Emma Beech. Sheehan and his translator Fatima (Beech) revel in the innovative techniques of drawing upon two characters’ mosaic conversations and personalities, yielding unexpected and favorable results. In addition to his multiple talents as a comedian and storyteller of grizzly wit, rare intelligence and comic genius, Sheehan employs his virtuosic musicality on the piano, peppering the show with petite melodies and songs. It’s no wonder this Adelaide resident has studied with the world’s finest performers and comedians, including the French master clown and professor, Philippe Gaulier. His engaging and hypnotic piece of writing is a rare gem, inviting audiences from across all generations to share the enchantment of the delightful stage presence of these two outstanding characters.

By Jessie Tu

Sep 25-29, New Theatre, 542 King Street Newtown, $15-19, 9020 6980, sydneyfringe.com.au