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Jazz, jabs and japes: Aussie brothers bring Roaring Twenties mayhem to the Fringe

James Macfarlane James Macfarlane
13 Jul 2025

The Burton Brothers talk about their fascination with the Roaring Twenties as they bring their show 1925 to the Edinburgh Fringe.

The “roaring” 20s with its opulence and excess, being immediately followed by the Great Depression and world war – not such a great time to be alive any longer…

1925 is such a specific moment in time. What drew you to set a whole sketch show in that exact year, and how did it shape the material?

We both grew up on comedies from this decade. From an early age, our dad sat us down and showed us Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy, and these performers had a huge influence on our comedy style.

The word “timeless” gets thrown around lazily these days, but the comedy from the 20s truly lives up to that promise. If a couple of young boys from Australia can sit down 100 years later and still laugh and appreciate the comedic mastery on display, then “timeless” is the only word for it.

Comedy aside, the 20s is such a rich decade in history. The music, the fashion, the attitudes are all so unique and instantly recognisable, making it ripe for parody. Plus, who doesn't love some big band jazz numbers!

The show uses the glitz and absurdity of the Roaring Twenties to reflect on the 2020s. What parallels did you find most striking between then and now?

The more we researched and wrote this show, the clearer the parallels between then and now became. The 20s kicked off a wave of individualism and personality over connections to institutions. Organised religion began to backslide, divorce became mainstream and movies and movie stars became the new obsession.

Many standards of modernity began in the 20s and have only intensified since. The attitude that permeated Western countries during this decade was one of wilful ignorance and an arrogance that this was the greatest time to be alive. That gives the whole decade an inherent and built-in irony: the “roaring” 20s with its opulence and excess, being immediately followed by the Great Depression and the second world war. Not such a great time to be alive any longer…

This starkly reflects our attitudes today – that we are living in the best time in human history because of our modern comforts, technology and air conditioning. One can only wonder: if history repeats itself, what kind of ironic doom are we racing towards now?

You’ve called this your “fourth original sketch comedy show – now in Technicolor!” How has your style evolved over the years, and what’s new about 1925?

We’ve always had an old-school, vaudevillian approach to sketch comedy. Our work is inspired by the classic ‘song and dance’ men of a bygone era as well as the broader slapstick comedy of the silent film stars and classic Looney Tunes.

Bringing that style together with modern sketch comedy has been an evolution for us – one we’ve gotten better at each year. It’s all culminated in this show, which puts our skills, influences and inspirations to the test. 1925 is a true hybrid of old vaudevillian comedy, told through the lens of a modern sketch show.

From prohibition to Hollywood glamour, the show blends historical parody with musical numbers. How do you balance comedy, commentary and choreography?

Comedy and choreography is a classic combo of the 1920s. From silent film stars to flashy Broadway musicals, it was everywhere throughout the decade. It would feel dishonest to do a show set in the 20s and not have a handful of song and dance numbers – what’s the point otherwise?

The commentary in our show is present but it isn’t excessive. The goal, first and foremost, is comedy. Any commentary is always playing second fiddle to the giggle.

The Fringe can be a launchpad for international acts. What’s it like bringing your Australian perspective on history – and sibling banter – to Edinburgh?

It’s an incredible treat! Edinburgh is such a fantastic festival to be a part of, and bringing our show here is a very exciting opportunity. We hope that 1925 is unique and stands out among the regular comedic stylings on offer.

Our brotherly dynamic is inherently recognisable. We’ve all had a quarrel with a sibling or loved one – we just do ours on stage for your enjoyment!

What do you hope audiences take away from the show?

An appreciation of the decade and a smile on your face! If you’re a lover of all things 1920s, this show is for you. If you’re not a fan of flapper caps and jazz numbers, we hope that after seeing this show, you’ll change your tune.

But most importantly, we want people to leave with a smile. This show is packed with goofs, gags and giggles, and our biggest hope is that you come and have a laugh with us.

James Macfarlane

James Macfarlane

Broadway Baby's Comedy Editor and Scotland Editor. In a previous life James did the same thing for ScotsGay. But we poached him.

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