Whisky Fir Dummies

As my time in Adelaide dwindled, I tried my best to ignore the promotion of Adelaide Fringe 2011 events. If it were not for commitments back in Perth also known as my final year enrolment in my Master of Science Communication at the University of Western Australia, I would have extended my stay in Adelaide. One Saturday while strolling down Rundle Mall I spotted preview shows of Fringe acts. I figured that there was no sense being grumpy on a tram ride to Glenelg and sat on one of the seats to enjoy myself. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.

After being serenaded to by Pink Sinatra, laughing at farming jokes by The Old Fella and watching a bit of theatre improv from Impro Cabaret, a ranty Scotsman fronted the stage. Come to think of it, I don’t think I know of any Scotsman that isn’t ranty.

This Scotsman went by the name of Alan Anderson and he made a few funny jokes and threw out a few one liners before mentioning whisky. I like my whisky, not the cheap blended stuff that walks but the single malts. I stuck around despite feeling the temperature plunge below 20C.

And then came they whisky jokes and challenges to the crowd to pronounce whisky names like Laphroaig, Bruichladdich, Auchenstoshan and Johnnie Walker to win tickets to his show Whisky Fir Dummies. It was amusing to see people twist their tongues in an effort to get out the correct pronunciation. I would have been in the mix had I known beforehand that he had his first show on the 18th of February, my last night in Adelaide.

After the five minutes of Alan Anderson’s preview of his Whisky Fir Dummies, I made a beeline to the Fringe Box Office on Rundle Mall to buy a ticket. I had to see a comedy show based around whisky and more importantly witness a Scotsman give away whisky for free. Did I forget to mention that about Whisky Fir Dummies? Yup, there is free whisky to be had, and it’s the good stuff.

I sat in the small back room of the Bull & Bear Bar and Restaurant and while the room filled, I could not help but notice a shelf of whisky up on stage. The rate at which I was finishing off my stubby of Hills Cider significantly increased. There was whisky to be had. And laughs too, of which there were many.

I can find no other way to describe Whisky Fir Dummies other than to say that it is the best way to have a dram of whisky in a room with strangers. Alan weaves jokes and moments of hilarity while pouring out the whisky. If you’re especially a good member of the audience, you can pick your choice of drink. If you like your whisky and if you especially like free whisky and good times, you need to go see this show. There is mental Scotsman giving away free whisky.

Whisky Fir Dummies runs Tuesday through to Saturday at 10pm at the Bull and Bear during the Fringe. Purchase tickets here.

Guest Blogger – Magdeline Lum (@Scientistmags), she blogs over at Philosophically Disturbed.