Lizzie Murray
Chris Parker is Iconique. The award winning comedian spotlights gay culture and modern technology in his explosive one man Comedy Festival entry Iconique. With the help of his digital assistant, Amazon Echo ‘Alexa,’ Parker performs original songs, shares hilarious family stories and fears the internet is literally fucking us. Iconique is a social commentary, stand-up and musical tied together in a big fat rainbow flag.
Parker aspires to be the most googled of his namesake. He wants to gain Icon status like the ladies who inspired him growing up - Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Patti Lupone. On stage he is super charismatic, flamboyant and as camp as the MET Gala. Laughter fills the BATS Random Stage theatre consistently. Parker maintains a high energy from the very first outrageous musical number. At times his mouth moved to fast for some audience members’ ears but it rarely detracted from the unfolding extravaganza.
Iconique spills the tea on recent technology trends, Instagram etiquette and millennial blues. Parker put it best when reminiscing on his time as a Wellington theatre student where he didn’t write essays but was the essay. He spins, leaps shimmies while delivering his icon thesis. He swiftly sashays from calling out problematic faves to mocking the exhausting “yas kween” screams of gay youth. Parker also roasts himself and shares hilarious family stories that perhaps should have stayed with the family.
The show is assisted by Alexa, the chic and cheeky Amazon Echo device who delivers the vibrant sound design. The smack-talking robot could have easily been a one-note gag but the show satisfyingly develops the character and brings the hilarity to new heights. There were a few technical mishaps on opening night but nothing that Parker’s enviable confidence couldn’t pull off.
Parker’s hilarious spectacle has been my favourite Comedy Festival show so far. I can’t wait to see what this multi-talented comedian brings next. Do book your tickets because Iconique is a must see show and there are only two nights left!
Iconique spills the tea on recent technology trends, Instagram etiquette and millennial blues. Parker put it best when reminiscing on his time as a Wellington theatre student where he didn’t write essays but was the essay. He spins, leaps shimmies while delivering his icon thesis. He swiftly sashays from calling out problematic faves to mocking the exhausting “yas kween” screams of gay youth. Parker also roasts himself and shares hilarious family stories that perhaps should have stayed with the family.
The show is assisted by Alexa, the chic and cheeky Amazon Echo device who delivers the vibrant sound design. The smack-talking robot could have easily been a one-note gag but the show satisfyingly develops the character and brings the hilarity to new heights. There were a few technical mishaps on opening night but nothing that Parker’s enviable confidence couldn’t pull off.
Parker’s hilarious spectacle has been my favourite Comedy Festival show so far. I can’t wait to see what this multi-talented comedian brings next. Do book your tickets because Iconique is a must see show and there are only two nights left!