Comedy review: Lil Wenker, BANGTAIL
★★★★
Clowning at its finest – a wildly creative and interactive show that keeps audiences on their toes.
Source: Lil Wenker is performing live at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, 2025
BANGTAIL promises an hour of “unbridled cowboy clown chaos,” and for the most part, it delivers. The show kicks off with an electric first half, where the main character ‘Bangtail’ – the self-proclaimed Baddest Cowboy in Texas – is everything you’d expect from a larger-than-life Western hero. Dressed in chaps, leather boots, an imaginary holstered gun, and sporting a bold goatee and thick black eyebrows (all painted on with what looks like the job of a Sharpie), this cowboy is a visual and comedic treat.
The physical comedy throughout the show is outstanding, the crowd work is engaging (if that’s your thing), and the improvisational elements keep the audience on their toes.
The opening act thrives on its interactive nature, with Lil Wenker’s raspy-voiced Bangtail involving the audience at every turn. The dynamic between the Texan cowboy and his nemesis – played by a random audience member – leads to some of the show’s best moments. Lil Wenker’s physical comedy is sharp, the jokes land well, and the atmosphere is infectious. By the end of the first half, the audience is in stitches, and the energy in the room is sky-high. It’s no wonder the show has received rave reviews on its international tour.
The momentum doesn’t quite carry through to the second half where Bangtail undergoes a transformation into ‘Alan the Accountant’ – a character who lacks the charm, exaggeration, and comedic brilliance of his predecessor. The shift from the exaggerated Western persona to a mundane office worker feels abrupt and less refined. While the show seems to explore themes of identity and reinvention, the execution feels scattered, and the humour that was so sharp in the first half becomes more hit-and-miss.
However, this doesn’t stop the audience from delighting in the show's absurdity. BANGTAIL is undoubtedly creative, unique, and filled with standout moments. With some refinement – especially in balancing the two halves – this could be a truly stellar show.
As it stands, it’s an entertaining ride. If you love immersive crowd work, absurd humour, and a touch of the bizarre, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Lil Wenker, BANGTAIL is performing live at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until 6th of April.
Venue: The Motley Bauhaus – The Cellar
For more details and tickets, click here