A Porthole into the Minds of the Vanquished's Comedian Bio
Bio
A Porthole into the Minds of the Vanquished is the co-conception of its two writer/performers, Tamlyn Henderson and Warwick Allsopp. After graduating from WAAPA(one of Australia's leading theatrical Institutes) in 2001, the pair were often touring or working on opposite sides of the country, but they would correspond via means of the text message. Rather than just the "Hey mate, how r u going?" variety of txt, they began using the phone more like a modern moleskin, and sent through literally anything that might be amusing to one another- poems, observational humour, lyrics, expressions of boredom etc... Warwick began logging these adsurd little scribblings in a book- and today there are 5 books with thousands of entries. Originally the show was just reading directly from the books with a jazz pianist noodling in the background, but it has evolved into a STILL VERY STRANGE but more character driven comedic experience. The show really is a 50ft belly-flop into the absurd- darkly poetic, Daliesque and sometimes just plain daft. Picture Lewis Carroll, The Goons, and William.S.Burroughs eating fairy-bread at 3am, and you're in the neighbourhood. The show has played at the Old Fitz, Bar Me, 34b in Sydney, The Adelaide Fringe Festival and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival, where it received a Best Newcomer Nomination in 2006. Here's what some others had to say:
" An entirely anarchic, bewilderingly engaging piece of comedic theatre....a hilarious show built of intricate and mindbogglingly clever tiny sketches and fabulously nonsensical musical numbers.... just go see the damn thing!!" INPRESS
"It's twisted, unspeakably bizarre: Both(Henderson and Allsopp) are wonderfully talented- as left-field comedians and as singers. Those jaded by mainstream humour will find (it) freakishly funny" THE AGE
"I hadn't laughed that hard at Australian writing for years... Part radio-play, part monologue, part musical, and part advertisement for the pitfalls of modern life... in a word, brilliant." FBI RADIO Brett Maverix
" A must see festival act." SUNDAY MAIL
"You may find yourself hankering for a transcript after the curtains have closed... the jokes that do linger will inspire sleepless nights.." THE PUN
"Porthole will have you in fits of laughter while the rest of the audience remains silent. You will shift in your seat and gouge your cheek between your molars...but the youths have lovely voices!" TROILUS
Website
aporthole.com not alot there at the minute.
Influences
Do you have urinal mints growing out of your back? Do keep scratching them and getting soap and blood under your nails.
Members
Warwick Allsopp, Tamlyn Henderson, Jeremy Brennan(on da keys) or could also be John Rutledge (twinkling dem ivories), Ansuya Nathan(director/producer), James Collins (Sound Designer)
A Porthole into the Minds of the Vanquished's Blurbs
About me: I was born in Adelaide in 1962 to a middle-class purveyor of meats. At the age of 6, my parents divorce and move in with my paternal grandparents. At 14 I fall heavily in love with my 17 year old first cousin. At 18 I embark upon a series of damaging short term relationships. At 22, I graduate with a degree in philosophy and divinity. At 24, I marry a counter-assistant, and at 27 i am dragged by my pubic hair through the divorce courts. After another string of toxic relationships and career indecision, I am ship-wrecked on the rocks in a sea of disillusionment. At 32 I develop a sex addiction, and at age 41 I become a game-show host. Who am I?
With an all star line up:
Eddie Perfect
Paul Capsis
The Conglomerate
Abbie Cardwell
Sophie Brous
Tommy Spender
Casey Benetto
Video Day
Steve Sedergreen
Jan Skubiszewski
Marc Testart
Xani Kolac
Peter 'The Dog' Burgess
Ben Hendry
Brother Grim
Jelly Tub Rollers
and
Clairy Baby Brown & The Bangin Rackettes
When are you guys going to be reprehensible squillionaires? Seriously, I'm bored of waiting to be proved right. Still the funniest double-act I've ever seen since Pete'n'Dud.
More to the point, are you doing Edinburgh this year?
I saw your show at the regent room in the year of our lord ten score and six. Afterward I made allusions to my enjoyment of your piece in various comedy after locations. Then I banged a monkey on the stairs in plain view.
Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I am exited for your globetrotting and performing ways and that the monkey and I are still together and will be performing a festival show next year called 'A jalousie into the pants of the triumphant'
TA DA!! our most prized photograph from edinburgh. although we are missing a photo with your other half. next edinburgh so we can complete our collection. :) be well!
ok because i personally am a computard the picture is not actually displayed in your comment area. you are going to have to click on that link or something. i'm in the process of reading web design for dummies though, so that's good news.
i have a serious problem. i cannot stop listening to henry giffin. over and over. the people i'm living with are thinking of staging an intervention. if only i could listen to "puzzler" and "hug a housemate for hematoma day" for some respite, i would be ok. but alas, no.
well it looked like fun, i was on my way to college, it brightened up my morning anyway, and also my friend's who was on a completely different bus and she told me she saw you aswell [harrassing the bus driver!] haha lol have you finished at the festival then? coming back next year?
lol well i was on the bus [or one of the buses] & was like wtf? but then realised it was that random guy with the moustache from that cool comedy lol were you bored then? since the festival is now finished
Hi guys, Just wanted to say how awesome the show at the guilded balloon was. Loved it so much that I have added the henry giffin clip to my profile- hope thats ok! will look out for you at future festivals, Vicki*
How are you both? Enjoying the tour and travel and many worldly delights no doubt?
Hope it's all brilliant.
Helen has organised a night for us all to get together every week and keep the dream alive as such. Reading plays and doing scene work etc. If and when you guys get back you'll have to come along!!
Hey, just dropping by to say hi.... hope you're all good and all is going well for you guys in Edinburgh. all is great here... getting on a bit as elphie which is fantastic!!!! am heading home again for a holiday early sept... will you be home or still travelling???? well, hope all is great... take care x Jill
