The Stevenson Experience and their ‘diva koala’ ahead of Twilight in Taronga’s Comedy Gala
How much can a koala bear? A photo shoot with The Stevenson Experience twins provides plenty of laughs ahead of their Twilight at Taronga comedy gala performance.
Southern Courier
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The Stevenson Experience’s twin comedians James and Benjamin Stevenson have performed on stage with the likes of Amy Schumer but one sassy koala from Taronga Zoo was a little less reluctant to share the limelight with the award-winning musical comedy duo ahead of their Twilight in Taronga shows.
“We had a diva model named Baxter who just wanted to eat and he refused to look at the camera,” Benjamin said. “The opposite of real models.
“Every time we went around the tree to try to get a photo of him looking at the camera he would immediately swing around.”
The dreaded “koala butt” photo was narrowly avoided, with the wily snapper managing to capture a few frames with Baxter’s face, and James was quick to point out that the Twilight at Taronga summer concert series was supporting the Wildlife Crisis Appeal.
The appeal provides funding for the unprecedented amount of displaced and injured wildlife impacted by bushfires, heat stress and ongoing long-term drought, including koalas, bats, wallabies and echidnas.
“It is fantastic to see that the money going to such a worthy cause,” James said.
“The bushfires were obviously a massive tragedy and it is great to see Taronga Zoo, and everyone, pulling together to do their bit for the victims.
“It is sad we have lost so much wildlife, they are saying up to a billion native animals.”
Benjamin said just meeting a koala up close was a thrill: “they are so cute”.
The identical twins are originally from Canberra but have called Sydney home for the past six years, with James recently leaving his brother’s side for the first time.
“We lived together until we turned 30 six months ago when I flew the coop to move in with my girlfriend,” Benjamin, who also author of the best-selling crime novel Greenlight, said.
Their close twin relationship, that is the basis of a lot of their comedy that incorporates piano and guitar, will be on show when they line-up with Kitty Flanagan, Luke McGregor and Randy at Twilight in Taronga’s Comedy Gala.
The first show on March 7 sold out and a second show was added on February 23.
“I just want a photo of me on the stage with the Harbour Bridge in the background - I need to update my Tinder profile,” James laughed.
”But seriously we are very excited to be performing with some of the best comedians around on one of the world’s best stages.”
The Stevenson Experience also are also the road for their new tour Stranger Twins tour. They are hitting the capital cities before making their way back to Sydney where they will be at the Factory Theatre from May 6-10 as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival.
TWILIGHT AT TARONGA
WHAT: Comedy Gala 2
WHERE: Taronga Zoo
WHEN: Sunday, February 23
TICKETS: taronga.org.au
SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL
WHAT: The Stevenson Experience
WHERE: The Factory Theatre
WHEN: May 6-10
TICKETS: $22 - $29, sydneycomedyfest.com.au