Tag Archives: The Listies: Make Some Noise

‘The Listies: Make Some Noise’ (Venue 17, until AUG 25th)

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, 5*, Rated: Outstanding by

“Australia’s other great kids’ entertainment export.”

Editorial Rating: 5 Stars (Outstanding)

Is it even EdFringe if you haven’t seen The Listies? Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly are Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis before the bromance soured. Their formula is part The Goons, part Python, with a triple unfiltered shot of classic Roald Dahl added to the mix. If you’ve ever rewatched clips of Dahl performing to a crowd, then you have some idea of agitation and excitement charging through The Listies’ audience of 4-400 year aulds before, during, and after the magic and mayhem.

This year’s edition hasn’t got the same narrative arc, and I kind of wish it did, but I’m guessing I’m the only one. This show runs like a W.A.W.I.P. (Wacky Arm Waving Inflatable Person), it’s light but durable material through which so much energy is being pumped that it just stands up and does its thing. Even without a plot – have they lost it? – the onstage chemistry between the sardonic Higgins and the effervescent Kelly is what makes this the standout show of the moment – Australia’s other great kids’ entertainment export.

In her EdFringe notebook, the one with Lano and Woodley on the cover, Daughter 1.0 (10yrs) wrote: “I thought that the Listies was really funny. It had me constantly laughing really hard for a long time. I especially liked the part where the baby (which was accidentally bought on Amazon) sand a song while being sent to sleep. In the end, Baby would have to go to Space! It seemed the right place for him to go though. I also liked their adience Interactions like the orchestra they created. THe orchestra included: A squeaky crab, a triangle (played with a spoon) and burping. The worst part of the show was the end though, I could happily watch the Listies all day! I highly recommend this show.”

This show is a burptastic fartathon with off-colour jokes aplenty of which my sainted grandmothers would not have approved. Still, it takes intelligence and class to be this consistent. This is a silly show for smart people as well as for people who haven’t tried being smart yet. Life is short and childhood especially so. Parents and carers can rely on The Listies to make memories worth remembering. Come for the best comic pairing since Whoopee met Cushion. Stay for unarguably the best kids’ comedy show in town. Get your ripstop nylon coats on and go see this!

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EdFringe Talk: The Listies: Make Some Noise

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“After Fringe, we’re touring it across Australia, everywhere from city arts centres to towns with more sheep than people.”

WHO: Rich and Matt

WHAT: “Back by POOPular demand. For over a decade kids comedy maestros The Listies have toured the world doing shows for literally gazillions of kidults (that’s kids and their adults). Now it’s your turn. Make Some Noise! is a comedy concert for humans aged 4-400. Join Rich and Matt, as they belt out a bunch of songs with the LOLs turned up to 11. Hilarious, fabulous fun for the whole family! ‘Without a doubt the funniest kids show I’ve ever seen’ (Frank Skinner). ***** (Time Out). ***** (List).”

WHERE: Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios (Venue 17) 

WHEN: 11:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Absolutely not. In fact, this is our twelfth time here (we’ve got the flyering-induced RSI to prove it). We started off doing absurd late-night cabaret in Spiegeltents and now we perform at 11:40 AM which is PM’s more sensible(ish) cousin. This show sold out last year so it’s back by poopular demand.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

You can eat too many tea cakes. The meadows are always slightly damp and record your spots on a zoom recorder cos they go great in your podcast! Oh and eat a vegetable.

Tell us about your show.

The Listies: Make Some Noise is a musical-ish comedy explosion for kids and their families. It’s loud, it’s ridiculous, and it involves fart jokes but also PowerPoint so it’s actually high brow, Also, inflatable arm-wavy guys, and a lot of audience participation. We wrote it together (we always do), and it’s produced by our company, The Listies. After Fringe, we’re touring it across Australia, everywhere from city arts centres to towns with more sheep than people. It’s also supported by the fab folks at House of Oz!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

We love weird, wonderful theatre for young audiences from all around the world, puppets made out of junk, clown shows that feel like a fever dream, and any gig that has props you can’t take on a plane. Very novel to us Australians.
● @TrygveWakey – New Zealander Trygve Wakenshaw’s physical comedy is masterful and surreal and silly in all the best ways.
● @crashtheatre.co – Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defense! Netball+ Shakespeare. Fellow house of ozers bring this Adelaide Fringe Smash to Edinburgh for the first time. We haven’t seen it yet but can’t wait to see it.
● @comedyclub4kids –It’s a comedy club, right, but for kids. Also any adults who enjoy a swear-free hour with the international circuit’s best stand-ups and sketch acts. It’s our home away from home in Edinburgh!
● Something you have never heard of! It’s fringe-so allow yourself to get flyered and say yes! Take a risk, go and see an adaptation of Beckett played by carrots dressed in barbie clothes. Where else whill you see that?

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