Jimmy Rees showed exactly why he remains one of Australia’s funniest performers in his one and only show for the 2026 Perth Comedy Festival.
From the moment we sat down in the beautiful Regal Theatre, there was a real buzz in the room. Then, before the show had officially begun, a commotion broke out at the back of the audience. A suspiciously orange “Donald Trump” swaggered down the aisle, dancing, chatting to guests and loving the attention. It was Rees making his entrance, complete with fake tan, and the crowd loved it.
Still in character, he declared he wanted to make WA the 51st state of the USA. Western Australia could offer iron ore and natural gas, while America could generously provide debt, obesity and drug addiction. It was sharp, cheeky and delivered with perfect timing. The jokes rolled out hard and fast.
A major highlight was a live version of Meanwhile in Australia, the sketch series that made Rees a household name during lockdown. Props and costumes flew everywhere as he switched characters in seconds. His energy is nonstop and his ability to switch voices, accents and personalities in seconds is genuinely impressive. Nobody escaped his comedic aim — Trump, Albo, Karl Stefanovic, John Farnham, the mushroom lady and EV drivers all got a serve.
Then came Robert Urban, dressed in khaki and prowling through the audience, torch in hand, in search of the specimens during mating season. Anyone who thought sitting in the back rows meant safety quickly realised otherwise. Rees worked every corner of the theatre, from the Golden Triangle to Armadale, with playful audience interaction.
In just seventy minutes, Jimmy Rees packed in more laughs and antics than many comics manage in twice the time. Stories about wanting to be an 80s postie on a red Suzuki with stubbies and a mullet, and his brutally funny takes on parenting three boys, landed brilliantly. His theory that parents need the reward chart more than kids was very relatable.
If you ever get the chance to see Jimmy Rees live, take it. Fast, fearless and endlessly entertaining, this was a must-see night of comedy.
Check out the other great acts that make up this year’s Perth Comedy Festival.