The Umbilical Brothers
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The Umbilical Brothers are an Australian comedy duo, David Collins and Shane Dundas.
They met in 1988, in a jazz class at the University of Western Sydney (as part of an acting course called Theatre Nepean), where David swung around and broke Shane's nose. Although their instructors tried to keep Shane and David apart after the incident, they got together on their own and began writing routines.
Their performances combine mime with ordinary dialogue and vocal sound effects. They use puppetry, slapstick, mimicry and audience participation, and make scant use of props and lighting. After having performed for seven years, their routines are highly scripted.
When their new style was first seen in Australia, it briefly triggered a wave of copycats, none of which lasted.
They have performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and on Broadway. They have also performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Sydney Opera House, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and also at Woodstock 1999. They are also credited with the vocalizations on the animated children's show Maisy (with the exception of the show's narrator).
In October, 2006 the Brothers (as Shane and David) began appearing as the main characters on a children's television program called "The Upside Down Show" broadcast in the US by Noggin and in Australia on NickJr. The show, developed by Sesame Workshop, makes extensive use of their particular style of mime and humor.
Current DVD releases: Speedmouse - Live from the Sydney Opera House
[edit] External links
- Official website
- Transcript of ABC interview with George Negus
- Transcript of Radio Ha Ha (Episode 37) with Shane Dundas
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