Yianni Agisilaou at Adelaide Fringe 2017

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Sun 19 Mar 2017

I didn't know what to expect before heading to see Yianni Agisilaou on the weekend at Gluttony, especially because I'm not the biggest stand-up comedy fan. But to my surprise, I was impressed, and in stitches by the end of his 60 minute stint. Set in the intimate space of The Piglet in Gluttony, the audience really gets to know Yianni on a personal level, which is something I think he intends to achieve. I have been to larger comedic performances that feel very cliche or 'staged', so to enter this small space with Yianni speaking directly ahead of us felt more like a family gathering than a Fringe performance.

Yianni has an extensive background in comedy, having travelled Australia, as well as being based in the UK for more than 10 years. He brings his own personal experiences as an Australian-Cypriot man to the stage, as well as his witty observances that he analyses in a way many of us are too afraid to speak about out loud.

One of the many topics raised in Yianni's show is gender and the obvious differences that separate the two. As you may be aware, gender is a hot issue at the moment, so Yianni tackles this relevant concern by challenging the gender wage gap, timeless stereotypes like why pink is believed to be a girls only colour and blue for boys, as well as other mainstream double standards like 'the dad-bod', compared to the pressure mother's feel to lose the baby weight so soon after childbirth. It is these things that Yianni questions in his show, shocking the crowd with his sharp stance on social issues. Although he 'takes the piss' out of them, he really opens up a can of worms, where intelligent conversation can continue well after the show concludes.

He impersonates the true blue Aussie male figure, as he explores the ridiculous set 'rules' that are imposed on society dependent on which bits one is born with. It's refreshing to see a show that focuses on both men and women, comforting those that feel as though they don't live up to society's standards. Using the classic example of Titanic's line 'women and children first' as the ship sinks, Yianni makes a stand that men can be sensitive too, and a little afraid. Although in this day and age, we have seen a rise in gender equality and a focus on women's rights, it is only fair to recognise the pressures men face on a daily basis, also. Yianni protests it all head on with a dark yet light humour that is confronting yet comforting in an unusual way - we shouldn't abide by these man-made rules! I will warn you though that Yianni's show does come with its fair share of crude humour, so it may not be suitable for the faint-hearted. In saying that, I believe we need more Yianni's in the world to shake us up a bit and open our minds to life outside of our constructed perimeters.

You can find Yianni Agisilaou: The Unpinchable Pink Pen at The Piglet in Gluttony every weeknight until March 19. Head to The Adelaide Fringe website to purchase your tickets. You will not be disappointed!

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!date 19/03/2017 -- 19/03/2017
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