In the intimate setting of a venue that seats no more than 20, Greg Williams delivers a disarmingly honest and surprisingly uplifting show about life's delays, detours, and eventual destinations.
Williams, a 30-year veteran of comedy stages worldwide, makes his Adelaide Fringe debut with "The Oldest Newcomer" – a show that weaves personal narrative with the story of recovering from addiction. The irony of being both ahead of his time and perpetually late to life's milestones forms the backbone of this performance.
From the outset, Williams establishes himself as someone who knows the contradictions of human experience: "Born two weeks late, hip surgery at ten, pro comic at nineteen, virgin until twenty-four" is in the show’s own marketing material.
The audience participation segments, including awards for "youngest first kiss" or "first drink," occasionally teeter toward awkwardness – particularly when Williams unknowingly asks the audience about marijuana smoking only to find an ex-drug squad officer amongst us. However, this moment of tension quickly dissolves into genuine laughter as Williams launches into unfiltered tales of his own recreational drug history.
What could easily become a heavy-handed addiction narrative instead remains engaging and well-structured throughout. Williams' decades of performance experience are evident in his expert pacing and narrative control. There are no uncomfortable silences or forced laughs – just the steady hand of a seasoned professional guiding us through difficult territory with humor and grace.
The predominantly mature audience seemed particularly receptive to Williams' approach – we weren't witnessing someone's self-flagellation but rather joining a fellow traveler who's emerged from addiction with wisdom to share. His observation that "you can't tell an addict to stop, just plant the seed" – even if that seed takes 20 years to germinate – offers a patient perspective on recovery.
Perhaps most impressive is how Williams tackles addiction without resorting to stereotypes. Throughout his struggles, he maintained employment and family responsibilities – challenging the one-dimensional portrayal of addiction that pervades much of our cultural conversation.
"The Oldest Newcomer" succeeds as both entertainment and mental health advocacy precisely because Williams never sacrifices one for the other. His authentic storytelling breaks down stigma without descending into despair or preachiness.
Will Williams win Best Newcomer? As he admits himself, "Almost certainly not." Will he lose money on this venture? "Yes he has." But his final question – "Is it worth doing anyway?" – receives a "Yes!".
After all, as Williams reminds us, "you should never stop starting and it's never too late to start stopping." Sage advice.