90s favourite commedian returns to Empire Theatre after 50 years

Why Australia’s rudest puppets holds a tender spot for the Empire Theatre and how you can see him for yourself in the fur.

AGRO UP LATE: Australia’s rudest furry friend is heading to Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre later this month for a one night only show where Jamie Dunn will relive some of his craziest showbiz stories across his 30 plus years playing the nation’s most iconic puppet and how the M-rated character accidentally became a children’s 90s TV favourite. (From left) Agro Up Late co-host Ben from Brisbane with Agro and Jamie Dunn.

IF you took a sledgehammer to the gyprock on the back wall of the Empire Theatre you will probably end up in jail for destroying a beloved and iconic piece of Toowoomba History.

You’ll also find the insignia of a young musician named Jamie Dunn, who has since gone down in history, not for his rocking drum prowess but for making generations of Australian’s laugh while having his hand up a puppet’s backside.

“It’s very clear that Agro can never again be a part of children’s television,” Dunn, now 70 said.

“It was, of course, a complete accident that happened in the first place. Agro was never intended for a younger audience but it just kind of happened that way.

“Now the kids that grew up with Agro have rediscovered him thanks to the ‘Agro adults only’ video on YouTube which is full of all the less PG-moments behind the scenes and here we are 30 years on, reliving it all.”

Jamie Dunn with Agro at the Powerhouse. Pic Annette Dew

The footage on YouTube was sourced from an old TV industry videotape from the early days of Seven Network’s Agro’s Cartoon Connection featuring Anne-Maree and has been viewed over 4,440,000 times since it’s release 11 years ago.

Since debuting a year ago Agro Up Late has relaunched the naughty puppet back into the stratosphere, with Agro since presenting an award at the ARIAS, guest hosting Chanel Seven’s hit family show “Holey Moley” and Agro even becoming the new face of Uber Eats.

Now the nation’s most famous foul-mouthed furry little comedian and his cheeky wingman, Jamie are bringing back the ’90s with their Agro Up Late show, which sold out run at the Brisbane Powerhouse last year and is due to grace the Empire Theatre’s Armitage Centre on Friday, February 26.

Dunn said he has fond memories performing at the Empire Theatre in his past life as a musician, drumming for a cover band and the likes of Mike Furber.

“I remember writing my name on one of dressing room walls after a show back when it was known as the ‘Toowoomba Bowl’ and Mike had a bad ingrown toenail so he was limping all over the place and then he tripped and put his foot through one of the light globes at the front of the stage.

“And now here I am coming back 50 years later with a puppet on my hand!”

With every show ending completely different to the last, Agro Up Late explores the outrageous Aussie showbiz stories behind the accidental children’s puppet, some of the most interesting celebrity interviews and how Agro became an Aussie icon.

“I think audience members get a great sense of nostalgia from coming to the shows,” Dunn said.

“For kids and parents who grew up watching Agro on their TV screens it’s a real trip down memory lane.

“I will tell you one of the worst and most awkward interviews I ever did as Agro was with Bob Hawke.

“He was so nervous and reserved, after that I made the rule that puppets should never interview puppets.”

Bob Hawke, America's Cup, 1983.

Dunn said the best interviews Agro ever had were with KD Lang and Sting.

“They were both cool, genuine people who were easy to talk to. Lang was so relaxed, she didn’t flinch at anything and was so engaging, and Sting was just like the talking to the guy who mows my lawn, he was so laid back.

“I think what helps is the fact that Agro never really prepares for his interviews, we just go with the flow and likes to see what happens with people which is a lot like the show really.

“It’s all ad libbed, nothing is scripted or planned which makes for a unique experience.

“It’s the same Agro but a little different, it’s uncontrollable, but controlled, it’s funny, retro and ridiculous.”

Agro Up Late will be coming to the Empire Theatre for one night only on Friday, February 27.

Get your ticket here.