They have faced off against George Negus, played charades with Harry Shearer, have multi-platinum, award winning DVDs, supported Take That, performed for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance, served a ball into Pat Rafter’s backside in front of thousands, appeared on Jay Leno with their second biggest US fan Robin Williams and are regularly stalked by American and Australian women after the success of their kids TV show ‘The Upside Down Show’ and sold out their debut season at the famous Tipi in Berlin.
Since 1991 the Umbilical Brothers have delighted fans around the world, as they twist theatrical rules and everyday situations into comedy triumph. Time Out NY called them “Australia’s hottest export since Vegemite”.
From Hawaii to Tokyo, New York to Stockholm, audiences have laughed like idiots as Shane and Dave use the entire comedy spectrum to convey their craft in their shows ‘Don’t Explain’, ‘Speedmouse’ and ‘Heaven by Storm’. ‘Don’t Explain’ in its incarnation as ‘Thwack’ ran off Broadway in New York for a year, the show was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Most Unique Theatrical Entertainment. Time Magazine called it “Pure Theatre and Pure Fun”.
The appeal of their shows goes across generations. The children in the audience are as enthralled by the physical comedy as the adults, and the more extreme or complex material merrily sails over their heads. As the New York Times confirmed “you’re left only to shake your head and marvel”.
Awards Include:
• Winner Helpmann Award Best Comedy Performance for Don’t Explain in 2008
• Nominated ARIA award Best Comedy Release 2008
• Logie Award Winner Best Children’s Comedy 2007
• Emmy Best Title Design for the Upside Down Show 2007
• AFI Nomination Best Children’s Show 2006
• Winner Grand Prix Singapore Comedy Festival 2003
• MO Award Winner – Best Comedy