August 12, 2026  One4Review

Review of 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium

The Australian ketamine Smurfette is back! This year, it seems the budget has improved too, with a proper giant screen boasting the highest HD resolution you’ll see at the whole Fringe, unless you head to the IMAX. She kicks off from where last year left off, with the theme not so much where she’s from, but where she’s been and where she’s going. Flights play a huge part in this, with a screen timeline of her misadventures displayed behind her, and a Ryanair section hitting brilliantly. She’s been through a lot, with a breakup that actually took place on an aeroplane causing audible gasps from the audience. Travelling is a huge thread throughout the show, taking us from Berlin to Madeira to Malta on a single trip over Christmas, with the kind of travel misadventures that make you wonder whether a holiday is actually worth it. But it’s not just her. Particularly strong is the section where her stepson gets kidnapped by Greeks and her dad goes full low tech Dog the Bounty Hunter trying to find him. It’s completely bonkers, beautifully observed and delivered with the kind of conviction that makes you briefly wonder just how much of this can be true. Then there are the smaller diversions: insomnia without the symptoms, OCD and the various little glitches that make up the human experience. Visually, this is a big step up from last year, and Brooke has blossomed too when it comes to commanding the stage, adding superb facial expressions to her sheer enthusiasm. You can see the thoughts arriving on her face before the words have even caught up. There’s a genuine sense of adventure to it all, even when the destination is questionable, and the route is decidedly turbulent. She’s on the right flight path, no matter where these misadventures may take her. Brooke is killing it this year and you should come along for the ride. Click Here

August 12, 2026  The Student

Review of 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium

Shannon Brooke’s 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium is a stand-up show that doesn’t shy away from the realities of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The Wee Tap at Laughing Horse is an intimate venue under The Hanover Tap that adds to the confessional nature of the show. Brooke recounts her compulsions and shines a comedic light on them, before telling a story through the medium of WhatsApp messages about the time her dad saved his kidnapped step-son in Greece. Brooke’s use of callbacks, multi-media storytelling, and mental health jargon establishes a connection with the audience, joking about her compulsions while simultaneously exploring the profound effect they’ve had on her. Every joke, though sometimes predictable, brings a laugh and a reminder of the all-consuming nature of OCD. However, it felt like the kidnapping story dragged on a bit and could have been cut down. The WhatsApp message format repeats later on in the show in the context of a Christmas trip to Malta, though this was after she had already told most of the story without the messages, so it slightly lacks in its impact. I was never bored; just wondering if this was her standup show or her dad’s. The highlight of 100 Million Fish in the Aquarium is Brooke’s fantastic crowd work, returning to audience members throughout the show, and even having a quip for the broken aircon that would rattle at random points — claiming someone was trapped in there. Despite being someone with a phobia of being called on by comedians, Brooke’s remarks made my fears melt away. The show, while rough around the edges, is worth the watch. There wasn’t a moment that I thought “God, the show must be ending soon,” and Brooke’s camaraderie with the audience combined with her fantastic storytelling makes for a charming evening and leaves you wanting to hear more about her life. There’s potential in Brooke’s show and I can’t wait to see her grow as a comedian. Click Here

March 1, 2026  The List

Review of Nerdy and Dirty: Part Classroom, Part Classless

Deliciously dark humour

On entering the Duke Of York hotel, we’re greeted with a backdrop of jungle leaves and a mosaic of science-related imagery. Behold Mister America, otherwise known as Zoltan Illes, making his Adelaide Fringe debut with stand-up show Nerdy and Dirty (Formally Bio-logical). He’s a teacher-turned-comedian who’s filled with wacky yet intriguing animal and science facts, but that’s where the classroom innocence ends. Having travelled to 75 countries, Illes takes audiences on a journey across the globe starting from his Hungarian roots reaching all the way to Myanmar in Southeast Asia. No topic is off-limits as Illes flirts on the borders of the taboo. Introducing jokes by way of educational facts, his punchlines are surprising and can be somewhat shocking, stirring the crowd with an undercurrent of political incorrectness and deliciously dark adult humour. This is where he thrives, with a warm and friendly nature belying the cutting rawness of his jokes. He exudes charisma and his love for the craft is palpable. The content is creative, with each segment rhythmically proceeding the last, pulling the audience on a rollercoaster between laughter and cautious acknowledgement in a witty, wild and worldly show. Seemingly still testing the waters, Illes’ material is sometimes crude, but the shock-value set-ups and pay-offs work well. Despite some jokes landing predictably, his natural curiosity for the smallest facets of worldly cultures and deep knowledge of all things biological makes for a zany and tantalising experience. Class dismissed. Click Here