The Distraction
” wildly funny, wildly creative…silly behaviour of the highest calibre…” – New York Times
The Umbilical Brothers are an international comedy phenomenon. Named as two of Entertainment Weekly’s “100 Most Creative People In Entertainment”, David Collins and Shane Dundas have appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, after James Brown at Woodstock ’99, and before the Queen. Their unique fusion of physical and vocal comedy has taken them to stadiums supporting Robin Williams and brought comedy audiences into the Sydney Opera House. They’ve also gained a fanatical toddler and late-night, potato-chip-eating college fan base with their television series The Upside Down Show, Disney’s The Book of Once Upon A Time, The Sideshow and Maisy.
“It’s a delight for the eye, the ear and the spirit … you’re left only to shake your head and marvel.” – NY Times.
They’ve performed in 38 countries. From Hawaii to Tokyo, New York to Moscow, audiences have laughed like idiots at their acclaimed performances that use a fast-paced mix of movement, vocal sound effects, and verbal interplay to cleverly twist theatrical rules and everyday situations into comedy triumph. Their online videos are viewed by over 200,000 people a month. Their appeal crosses generations, as children in the audience are as enthralled by the physical comedy as the adults, while the more complex material hits its grown-up targets. The result: an entertainment that is as critically praised as it is loved by a broad audience.
“Exquisitely crafted physical humour and sheer imaginative brilliance” – The Australian
Their stage shows, film & TV work and multi-platinum DVD’s have won them applause and critical acclaim ranging from the internationally impressive to the entirely insignificant. Awards include two BAFTA’s (one while working with Academy Award-winning Aardman Animations), an EMMY, a Logie (Australian Emmys) and a Helpmann (Australian Tonys) for Comedy Performers of the Year. They’ve also received an Edinburgh Critics’ Choice Award, won the Australian Entertainment Industry’s MO Award for Best Comedy Group 5 years running and, for their work with MTV, gained a Promax Award – whatever that is.
“Marcel Marceau on really good drugs” – Sydney Morning Herald
