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Loser Lion Party Bus

 
Frodo Allan Review by Frodo Allan 4 Published: 6 Aug 2025 PBH's Free Fringe @ CC Blooms Show Dates: 2 Aug 2025-23 Aug 2025

Over the last few years at the Fringe, clowning has grown from a niche artform to award-winning status (see Garry Starr, Elf Lyons and Dr Brown as prime examples) – and this show certainly earns its place alongside these purveyors of the absurd.

Pee-Wee’s Playhouse for the TikTok generation

Los Angeles-based Kym Priess first appears to us in the guise of Dale, an Aussie tour manager struggling to get the show started. Dale is constantly speaking, complaining about technical hitches and struggling with the audio. He encourages us to sit facing each other runway-style (as on a party bus) and get to know each other, while he slinks off to locate the star of the show.

After around fifteen minutes of Dale’s delightful muttering and cursing, we are introduced to the fabulously unhinged Loser Lion – a failed Vegas wrestler and very shabby lion, who chain-smokes and has no sense of propriety or personal space. There is a quick aside to arm the less open to interaction with a gesture that lets Priess know not to get too close – a welcome consideration in today’s climate of consent.

What follows is Pee-Wee’s Playhouse for the TikTok generation. The party bus gets underway courtesy of a projected trip through the streets of Hollywood, and we are encouraged to join in with some shenanigans that include headbanging to Iron Maiden, Facetiming a famous fictional character, and hearing the story of Dolly the bus driver – Loser Lion’s lover and blow-up doll. However, it all begins to unravel when Loser Lion realises that one of the passengers is, in fact, his old nemesis from his days as a wrestler. At times, looped effects are used to create a cacophony of noise, and a playlist of absolute bangers keeps the energy high.

Good clowning should be immersive – and great clowning shouldn’t be afraid to challenge your expectations. Priess has created a character that is confident and yet filled with pathos – furious at the world but just wanting everybody to have a good time. A final reveal from another character late in the show suggests that he, and his blow-up lover Dolly, might just manage a happy ending.

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The Blurb:

High-octane, rock-fuelled clown spectacle from Rock Opera Award-winner Kym Priess – comedic performance artist, Peaches tour alum and real-life stunt driver. Meet Loser Lion: failed wrestler turned unhinged party host in a lion suit, pumping gas on a looper pedal, inflatable lover in tow. Expect air-drumming, beer chug-offs, surreal dream sequences and audience-ignited chaos. A 'hallucinogen-fuelled joyride' (Majestic Theatre) of absurdity and existential mayhem on a metaphorical party bus where reckless fun meets raw reflection. Rocky Horror meets Pee-Wee in a Vegas roadside meltdown. 'Insane... unapologetic fervour' ***** (EatMoreArtVegas.com) 'Expands audience's comfort zone' (Vanderpump Rules producer).