The Umbies have some explaining to do

Petra Starke

20May08

The Umbilical Brothers return to Adelaide for the Cabaret Festival with their show, 'Don't Explain'. PETRA STARKE asks them to. 

Twenty years ago, in a university jazz class in Sydney, David Collins accidentally broke Shane Dundas' nose, and The Umbilical Brothers' first comedy routine was born. Fortunately the pair gave up jazz and focused on physical performance instead, and now ``The Umbies'' are one of Australia's best-loved comedy acts. They return to Adelaide for the Cabaret Festival with their show, Don't Explain.

Q: So, Don't Explain - please explain.

Dave: No.


Q: No really, give us a hint what it's all about.

Dave: OK, just a hint. He who controls the microphone, controls the universe. A universe created by the audience's imagination and ours joining together as one to fill an empty stage. Your jaw will be sore from laughing, and your minds will explode. That's the first five minutes.


Q: When one thinks of cabaret one normally thinks of a sultry chanteuse leaning against a piano singing love songs, not two blokes throwing themselves around a stage making funny noises. How have you tailored this show for the Cabaret Festival?

Dave: I promise you this, at one stage in the show, I will get totally sultry. In honour of the Cabaret Festival I will sing a Billie Holliday song. We don't have a piano, but I can learn with the best of them.


Q: This show ran off-Broadway for more than a year - aren't you sick of it by now?

Dave: No way. We change it every now and then. By every now and then I mean every night.


Q: After so many years together you two are so in sync on stage. Does that blend into your daily lives too? Do you finish each other's sentences now?

Dave: Yes, that happens so often it's like ...

Shane: No, that never happens.


Q: Your shows are very physical - how much time do you guys spend in the gym (be honest, now).

Dave: To be completely honest, the show keeps us fit. My brother owns a gym that is within walking distance from my home. I drive there once a month to pick him up for lunch.


Q: Will the ``threatening bears'' make an appearance in this show?

Dave: If they were here I'm sure they would say ``Grrr brr frurr burrgrrr'' which, loosely translated, means ``get your hand out of my arse.''


The Umbilical Brothers, Don't Explain - Dunstan Playhouse, June 12 to 15. Bookings: BASS.