Aunty Jack's Wollongong The Brave

Aunty Jack's Wollongong the Brave is an eclectic comedy television show from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, which premiered in 1975. This series is an offshoot of the successful Aunty Jack Show, which fascinated audiences with its surreal humor and unpredictable storyline. The title character, Aunty Jack', is a larger-than-life Barry Humphries-inspired creation, portrayed with startling conviction by Grahame Bond. Aunty Jack is a unique character -- a mustache-sporting, boisterous brute clad in a sequined dress and boxing gloves, who rides a motorbike and intimidates everyone around.

Wollongong the Brave focuses on the strange and quirky happenings in the fictional town of Wollongong, under the forceful guidance of our eccentric, gender-bending hero, Aunty Jack. This bizarre world of Aunty Jack’s Wollongong is populated by a roster of eccentric and hilarious characters, all interacting under the dry and uniquely Australian sense of humor with satire, song, and slapstick. To add to the surreal element, these characters range from a squeaky-voiced thin man to a vegetarian vampire, from an endearing rough-diamond to a square-headed kid, showcasing an impressively wide spectrum of imagination and comedic sensibilities.

The strange situations that the inhabitants of Wollongong find themselves in form the show's main appeal. With scripts often touching on the political and cultural life of the time, Wollongong the Brave is as much a satire as it is a comedy. The series is characterized by its irreverent and often absurd humor, drawing influences from British comedy shows like Monty Python, but it also brings an unmistakable Australian flavor. The show often uses its peculiar brand of comedy to skewer cultural norms and societal conventions, presenting a strange yet insightful reflection on early 70s Australian suburban life.

The set design and art direction of the show are worth mentioning, contributing significantly to the surreal aspect of Wollongong the Brave. With its vibrant and often mismatched aesthetic, the series exhibits an exaggerated, almost cartoonish version of the reality. The sets' defining feature is their wild unpredictability, which is perfectly synchronized with the overall rhythm of the show. Meanwhile, the music also plays a substantial role in the series. The catchy tunes interspersed throughout the episodes are not only entertainment but also a critical element of the narrative, often revealing character nuances or steering storylines.

What truly sets Wollongong The Brave apart is its meta-humor. Breaking the fourth wall is a common thread throughout the show, with characters often addressing the audience directly, acknowledging their part in a television production or launching into unexpected monologues about the nature of comedy or television. This self-referential humor lends a certain charm to the show, helping it stand out amidst other comedy shows of its time.

Furthermore, the creative talents of the leading cast are exceptionally commendable. Grahame Bond, as the lead character, delivers an entertaining and awe-inspiring performance. His aggressive and bizarre Aunty Jack, while initially daunting, becomes an endearing eccentric we root for. Bond is ably supported by other cast members, including Rory O'Donoghue, known for his performance as the sentimental Thin Arthur, whose comedy nuances bring an approachable human element to the absurdity of the show.

Though it could be quite an eccentric pick for the uninitiated, Wollongong the Brave is a thought-provoking kaleidoscope of the absurd and humorous. Amidst the chaos and madness, it lays bare the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the society it portrays. The show provides not just a peep into the Australian life of the 70s, but also a timeless commentary on general societal norms. For those who appreciate a taste of comedy that's unorthodox, challenging, and brimming with audacity, Aunty Jack's Wollongong The Brave remains a treasured classic.