In a city brimming with incredible shows and an overwhelming array of comedy acts, Airhorn! manages to stand out as a truly unique experience. Month after month, the Newtown Community Centre becomes the stage for this wildly entertaining production, defying the constant threats of shutdown from the Newtown City Council. But Airhorn! isn’t one to back down — tonight’s show promises to be the ultimate showdown, a long-awaited brawl to settle the score with the Newtown City Council once and for all. 

From the moment you step into the venue, the energy is electric. The audience is immediately drawn into the hype, thanks to a pre-show warmup led by Alayne Dick and Hoani Hotene. They guide the crowd through fight chants, seamlessly integrating newcomers into the show’s recurring lore. The interactive fun continues as audience volunteers showcase their best wrestling moves against the Newtown City Council bear — a stroke of genius that unites everyone in the shared mission of taking on ‘the man’. 

And this is all before the show even begins! 

Lesa Macleod-Whiting and Zach Mandeville, the dream team behind Airhorn!, take the stage as MCs, setting the tone for an unforgettable night. The show kicks off with a hilarious trailer, a testament to the production’s multimedia prowess, followed by a high-energy group dance number that highlights the cast’s impressive chemistry and talent. 

The performances are a rollercoaster of laughter and creativity. Jerome Chandrahasen masters the art of crowd work, effortlessly engaging the audience with his quick wit and charm. Booth the Clown delivers a side-splitting demonstration of mime orgies, leaving the crowd in stitches. Chen Wang brings her signature deadpan delivery, though her cutting humour feels slightly out of sync with Airhorn!’s manic positive energy. 

A standout moment comes with Coalition at First Sight, a recurring skit that offers a sharp and hilarious take on current domestic politics. Here is one minor tech hiccup — remarkable to have only one in such a tech-heavy show — which the cast handles with flawless professionalism. 

Samantha Hannah delivers a scathing yet endearing critique of Lynley Dodd, followed by a charming presentation of her own children’s book. Her ability to weave personal experiences (like her recent journey into motherhood) into her set is both relatable and refreshing. 

While Joana Joy’s high-energy skit is entertaining, some of its references seem to miss the mark with the audience, making it fall slightly flat compared to the night’s other stellar performances. However, her excellent delivery makes up for it, showcasing her many talents and ensuring everyone is thoroughly entertained without needing to fully get it.

Even intermission is a blast, with a cute screensaver (Booth) and more fight chant practice led by Alayne and Hoani. Lesa and Zach take a moment to share heartfelt reflections on the show’s significance and their ongoing battle with the Newtown City Council. 

The second half keeps the momentum going. Jak Darling delivers a hilarious song teaching us our ABCs (with a slightly terrifying ventriloquism section), while a guest video appearance from the Mayor adds a delightful twist. Keegan Thomas’ giant-uggs-clad game of Guess Who is a surprising highlight and showcasing his skill to lead over 100 people in a game, and Liv Ward dazzles with a mix of dance, song, and standup, proving that everyone loves a good mandarin. 

Gabby Anderson charms with her witty magpie anecdotes, and Ginge & Minge bring their signature chaos to the stage with an informative and uproarious song about women’s health. 

The night culminates in a full scale fight, a wild, multi-venue (live-streamed to the audience when it moves away from the stage) wrestling extravaganza. With Alayne and Hoani providing commentary, professional wrestlers representing Airhorn! (including Math Manic, Dev Kyro, and ‘The Beast’ Jade Priest) face off against the Newtown City Council (embodied by Matty the Intern and Grayson Harvey). It’s a chaotic, prop-filled spectacle that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Airhorn! 

Airhorn! is a triumph of creativity, community and comedy. The tech is incredible, the location is ideal (complete with all-gender bathrooms), and the energy is infectious. If you’re looking for a show that’s equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and utterly unique, Airhorn! is not to be missed. 

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