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Fringe review: Matt Okine

With impeccable timing, landing and pace, stand-up comedian Matt Okine is worthy of an Olympic gold medal for his hilarious rags-to-riches tale. ★★★★½

Mar 12, 2018, updated Mar 13, 2018

A former host of Triple J’s Breakfast show and now TV star (The Other Guy, on Stan), Matt Okine is well known to his predominantly Generation Y audience.

The Hat Game centres on Okine’s dream to become an Olympic athlete. This may seem implausible for a guy who lacks sporting talent but he has a trick up his sleeve: his suddenly very useful Ghanaian nationality.

It’s a genius idea – emulate Eric the Eel’s legendary Sydney 2000 Olympic debut by securing a spot on the Ghanaian swimming team.

The only thing stopping Okine is his lack of funds to make his Ghanaian nationality official.

As he recounts his struggle, we are treated to tangent stories about growing up in “Brisvegas”, Gary from MasterChef’s apparently homophobic views and the frustration of (trying) to purchase bus tickets with a credit card.

Okine is as hilarious as ever, perhaps even more so now he isn’t constrained to the broadcast guidelines of the ABC. Swearing and squeamish jokes abound, as does a total disregard for social taboo. It’s refreshing to see the radio star this way, completely at ease as he takes swigs of beer and acts out awkward sex scenes in front of a packed crowd.

No topic is too vulgar or too off-limits for Okine and his sharp one-liners. It’s self-depreciating comedy at its best, weaving shock, carefully timed jokes and engaging storytelling to create the brilliant show that is The Hat Game.

Regardless of your sensitivity to graphic sex descriptions, swearing and some political incorrectness, I’d highly recommend catching a glimpse of Okine next time he’s in town.

Until then, Matt Okine, I look forward to watching you achieve your dreams at Tokyo 2020.

Matt Okine’s The Hat Game showed at the Arts Theatre on Friday and Saturday night as part of the Adelaide Fringe. Read more InDaily Fringe reviews and stories here.

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