Show reviewed: 14/03/26

Show rating: A totally appropriate 4.5 stars.

This is a controversial review and based on my opinions as a second generation Italian-Australian who grew up in country NSW. Mickey D is an important figure in the Adelaide comedy scene known for his irreverent humour and lack of a filter in the best and filthiest way possible…

Mickey has secretly gathered members of The Culturally Appropriate Appropriation Society at The Piglet in Gluttony and dares to say what we are all thinking about the cultural phenomena of cancelling individuals who say something that is deemed to be politically incorrect. He is the only one brave (or possibly stupid) enough to say it and that’s the value of the arts in interrogating dangerous ideologies and social norms that become social truths through adoption of group thinking.

It is an uproariously funny and offensive show that asks the question who is the arbiter of what is socially acceptable and appropriate humour?! Some of the socially appropriation issues are very real and serious like power imbalances, stereotyping, and economic exploitation of minorities. However there is a line between appropriation and appreciation that Mickey has drawn a comedic line under and ver much challenges the idea that “You can’t say that.”

In Australia, cultural identity and cultural appropriation are hot button issues that many groups use to push an agenda such as the vote for or against (however you voted) the constitutional referendum in 2023 for Australian Indigenous Voice. There was propaganda on both sides of the vote. Some of the language adopted by these groups with a political agenda use the language of legitimate survivor movements — they deem anything they don’t particularly like framing themselves as victims and feeling “unsafe” as Mickey observes.

The Culturally Appropriate Appropriation Society not just about censorship but political party lines as “the truth” when reality is being pedalled as “fake news” and people not having the critical thinking skills to understand what is being told to them. People are losing the ability to actually determine what is real and what is an absurd fiction sold by a snake oil salesman and his coven of reptilian puppet masters (I don’t mean literally but you never know in these times!) using the language of cultural supremacy and patriotism to disguise fascist messaging that enriches him but leaves the rest of us plebs to rot.

President Trump wants to introduce the death penalty for journalists exposing the truth about what is happening in Iran as treason. The freedom of the press to hold governments and powers that be accountable is the function of media, to operate without censorship, licensing, or fear of intimidation. They come from the intellectuals and creatives first, so we need to use our creativity for higher purposes.

The Culturally Appropriate Appropriation Society is one artist’s response to the erosion of democracy and Mickey addressed this issue in an Aussie context, calling out Pauline Hanson. A scary stat for me is that 26% of Australians earning under $45 000 want to vote for One Nation. That’s almost one in four! The Americans believe Trump that he has an answer as the Middle East burns and some Australians believe Pauline Hanson has a plan for us when THERE IS NO PLAN. THE CAKE IS A LIE!

Mickey D has created a show about having the resistance and responsibility as artists of being able to speak the truth without being cancelled or shut down. When American Idiot in Chief like Trump (and his MAGA supporters) have plunged us into another world war and a global oil crisis, but uses misinformation and outright lies as propaganda to it on everyone else on Earth based on his “gut feelings.” Pauline Hanson has kissed the ring of Trump at Mar-a-Lago and plans to repeat the same recipe for disaster here!