The
Umbilical Brothers

Speaker Profile

They have faced off against George Negus, played charades with Harry Shearer, have multi-platinum, award winning DVDs, supported Take That just before Robbie up and left and N'Sync just before JT left (if you'd like Human Nature to break up just give them a call), performed for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance, served a ball into Pat Rafter's backside in front of thousands, appeared on Jay Leno with their second biggest US fan Robin Williams, are regularly stalked by American and Australian women after the success of their kids TV show The Upside Down Show and sold out their debut season at the famous Tipi in Berlin.

Since 1991 the Umbilical Brothers have delighted fans around the world, as they twist theatrical rules and everyday situations into comedy triumph. Time Out NY called them 'Australia's hottest export since Vegemite'.

From Hawaii to Tokyo, New York to Stockholm, audiences have laughed like idiots as Shane and Dave use the entire comedy spectrum to convey their craft in their shows 'Don't Explain', 'Speedmouse' and 'Heaven by Storm'. 'Don't Explain' in its incarnation as 'Thwack' ran off Broadway in New York for a year, and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Most Unique Theatrical Entertainment. Time Magazine called it 'Pure theatre and pure fun'.

The appeal of their shows crosses generations. The children in the audience are as enthralled by the physical comedy as the adults, and the more extreme or complex material merrily sails over their heads. As the New York Times noted, 'You're left only to shake your head and marvel'.

Awards have included the 2008 Helpmann Award for Best Comedy Performance ('Don't Explain'), a 2008 ARIA award nomination for Best Comedy Release, the 2007 Logie Award for Best Children's, the 2007 Emmy for Best Title Design (The Upside Down Show), a 2006 AFI nomination for Best Children's Show, the 2003 Grand Prix at the Singapore Comedy Festival and an MO Award Winner for Best Comedy Performer.

Travels from New South Wales