Trying to get some ‘cool’ cred with the kids? You need to book tickets to this 2025 comedy show ASAP

Posted on 4 December, 2024

It promises to be a riotous mixtape of silly songs, stupid sketches, and crazy clowning – and apparently, it’s the kids’ show you NEED to book tickets for in 2025.

At least according to Matthew Kelly and Richard Higgins from The Listies.

And although they might be a bit biased (it is their show after all), after touring all around Australia, New Zealand, and even the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Make Some Noise! does sound like a good time.

After all, what’s not to love about a comedy show featuring musical comedy, puppetry, and audience interaction? Oh, and quality fart jokes. You can’t forget those.

Coming to the Canberra Theatre Centre these summer school holidays, for two shows, The Listies will be belting out a bunch of songs in their musical comedy show that will have attendees giggling and singing long after the show is over.

While they don’t promise to be in tune (sorry about that), they do promise that both kids and their adults will have a good time.

“It is hard to say this and maintain a bit of modesty, but people are just blown away by how funny it is and how engaged their kids are. This is a good show for aunts and uncles to gain cool cred,” he explains.

“If you want to nail an ‘experience’ with your niece or nephew, this is a great show for that, because it is loud, joyful, and raucous, and the kids and parents are often crying with laughter together.”

Beginning as an alternative comedy show in 2008 before transitioning into full-time kids’ comedy in 2011, The Listies have made a name for themselves as a comedy double act who are serious about being silly.

As seen on ABC Kids The Listies Work For Peanuts and Art Blast, they’ve won numerous awards (including Best Kids Show at the Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2023), written books, and more.

While Matt jokes that it was the ‘better hours’ that inspired them to make the switch to kids’ comedy, he says that bringing young people together and making them laugh gives him a ‘warm and fuzzy feeling.’ And he’s ready to share the love with locals.

Coming to Canberra for the first time in several years, the premise of the Make Some Noise! is simple: Richard wants to do a show all about music and Matt wants to be a backup dancer. You can guess where this is going.

“There’s puppetry, there’s sing-along bits. There’s dancing in the audience. Everyone gets sprayed with water pistols at one point!” says Matt.

“This show came from COVID and the sense of isolation we felt. Music is a great way to bring people together and that’s what this show does. Music is a great equaliser. It puts everybody on the same page.”

As for music choices? Matt says they wanted to reflect the diversity of ages in the audience, so attendees will hear everything from an homage to ‘90s techno to dubstep. But with no two shows the same – Matt and Richard rarely stick to the script – from there, expect the unexpected.

Like the fact that Matt was one of the very first Excited Particles at Questacon.

“It’s been a while since we played Canberra. I was actually an Excited Particle at Questacon for three years while I lived in Canberra. I also worked for the Australian National Museum, I did some of the kids’ programming there,” he explains.

“There’s something wonderful about Canberrans…they don’t mind a bit of silliness.”

Luckily Make Some Noise! will have plenty of that. So, take the kids and sit back knowing that you’ll be soon wearing the title of ‘Coolest Adult Ever.’

Apart from Matt. Being an Excited Particle before touring the world for literally gazillions of kidults (that’s kids and their adults) takes the cake.

Feature image: Daniel Boud.