International role for ‘spies’

A group of Geelong actors and comedians will take on Melbourne International Comedy Festival with a new show next week.
The troupe, which last appeared in 2014’s Robin Hood: The Untold Story has put together a spy-themed production for the festival.
They described Live and Let Spy as a “hilarious high-energy show for all the family”.
The cast included “some of the region’s finest comedic actors”, the group said.
Ian Nash-Gilchrist and Mark Eckersley, who appeared together in Robin Hood: The Untold Story, star along with Ed Dolista (The 39 Steps), Chantelle Fava (We Will Rock You), Ian Rooney (The Doctor Blake Mysteries), Jenn Stirk (Legally Blonde), Scott Popovic (The Producers) and Simon Finch (Almost, Maine).
A promotional blurb for the show promised plenty of intrigue and laughs.
“Can superspy James Blonde and beautiful Russian agent Ivana Holdyurhanski stop the evil Dr Maybe from destroying the world?” the blurb teased.
“Complete with car chases, giant lasers, moon rockets and an opening theme song performed live each performance, Live and Let Spy is a must-see fully-staged spy send-up for the whole family.”
The promotion included excerpts from reviews, declaring Live and Let Spy “pun-tastic… you get lots of laughs for your buck”, a “hilarious evening of jokes, puns, sight gags and action” and “terrific fun”.
The group also included an endorsement from ABC comedian Shaun Micallef: “Words such as brilliant and hilarious do not even come close to describing this… nor for that matter do the words gazebo or rastarfarian”.
The Geelong troupe said it would perform at Carlton’s Clean Comedy Hub, 488 Swanston St, from Tuesday to 11 April.