Live Review: Jimmy Rees In Reel Life 2025
Review by Krystal Galloway (Krystal in the Crowd)
Photo by Leo Hiraga
I brought my 16-year-old with me, one of the kids who grew up watching Jimmy on Giggle and Hoot. This felt like a full-circle moment. For years, every morning started with Jimmy on TV, and every night ended with the Giggle and Hoot goodnight song before bed.
Since the end of his ABC kids days, Jimmy has found his way creating TikToks of relatable characters that showcase his art of picking apart the everyday chaos of normal life and making everyone feel understood. His comedy is rooted firmly in the real, mundane goings-on of everyday life: the work drama, the relationship quirks, and the parenting fails. He taps into that unique place where the normal becomes ridiculous, which leaves you feeling totally normal while being utterly annoyed by the small things. This is where Jimmy Rees excels in making his entire audience feel seen, heard, and comfortingly ordinary. Rees feels less like a distant star and more like a friend you can call and have a chat with who just gets it.
The seven o’clock start time suited Perth perfectly. The screens above us flickered with not one, not two, but three Jimmys moving around, versions of Jimmy dancing about and setting the tone in that cheeky way only he manages to do. It already felt like we were part of something wonderfully silly.
The lights shifted as “Donald Trump” appeared on the screen, greeting Perth with the seriousness of a presidential address. The screen cut to black, and Metallica’s Enter Sandman blasted through the room because apparently Perth is still in her Metallica era. Completely unexpectedly, Jimmy burst in from the back of the theatre, fully in character, flawlessly impersonating Trump while dancing to one of humanity’s greatest guilty pleasures: “Y.M.C.A.” by The Village People. Laughter rolled through the room as he descended the stairs toward the stage, the signature unmistakable, orange tan greeting fans.
He eventually gathered himself at the microphone, still very much in character, “Take a minute for the English cricket team”, he said. “You invented cricket, and you are pretty bad at it.” Perth lost it. The timing could not have been better with the Ashes happening across the road with the historical outcome – a five-day test match that ended in two days.
This kind of localised, comical improvisation is what we love.
He ducked to the side of the stage where he took the moment to transform himself through a live camera feed on screen.
“It is great to be here, Perth! It’s been two years since I’ve been here!” What followed was a hilarious musical recap of everything that’s happened in Perth over the past two years. Gina Rinehart headlines, UFC madness, sewerage in the Swan, Bali holiday chaos, cricket dramas, and every other news moment that had shaped the city, ending on the brilliantly cheeky punchline: “At least we are not Adelaide.”
Jimmy then scanned the room and announced that Perth locals reminded him of the original 1987 Guess Who game – the old school version. The stage dropped to black before a video lit up the room, revealing Jimmy Rees in full khaki as his newest creation, “Robert Urban.” A hilariously over-amped, city-slicker spin on Robert Irwin, Robert Urban bounds around Perth with wild-eyed enthusiasm, treating the suburbs like a rugged wildlife reserve.
Then came the moment everyone was waiting for, “The Guy Who Decides.” This is Rees’ character, who channels the infuriating decision-making process we all face in bureaucracy or parenthood, perfectly showcasing the chaos of authority delivered with a grin. He brilliantly nails that overwhelming feeling of dealing with someone who holds all the power of decision-making, and for no good reason other than they simply decide so – which makes everything extra difficult. This leaves the audience feeling a shared moment of “I know that guy!” recognition.
For the final act, the table of props that had quietly sat on stage all evening finally came to life. Rees’ signature quick-change segment was nothing short of pure comedic sorcery. With just a table full of op shop-looking simple items, scarves, glasses, and a few small trinkets, he transformed seamlessly from one character to another right before our eyes. In a dazzling display of wit, timing, and sheer skill, he brought an entire cast of contemporary, instantly recognisable people to life in seconds. Each transformation was faster than the last, leaving the audience gasping, laughing, and clapping in astonishment. Watching these character changes live was like witnessing magic unfold, the kind that makes you forget it’s just one man and a few props creating an entire universe of people on stage. By the time he finished, it was impossible not to be completely enchanted, amazed at the sheer artistry of his craft.
As the night drew to a close, Jimmy addressed the crowd and said, “Thank you, everyone. After spending 10 years in pjs, he never thought he would be out here doing this!” He asked if there were any Giggle and Hoot fans, and if anyone thought they would see Giggle and Hoot today, to which the crowd cheered the loudest of the night. Someone in the crowd shouts out, “Do Wicked!” and Jimmy breaks into an opera-style singing.
What truly elevated the night was his dedication to keeping content relevant and customised to the Perth audience. This wasn’t a generic, rinse-and-repeat set. Rees tailored the show to our local crowd, making the experience feel intimate and personal. It was a perfectly pitched evening of laughter, validation, and a shared acknowledgment that, yes, life is absurd, but at least we can all laugh about it together.
Jimmy’s rhythm, timing, and effortless connection with the Perth crowd made every joke feel like it was meant for us, and us alone. His unpolished charm to his delivery is infectious; he doesn’t mind laughing at his own jokes, which only makes the crowd love him more. He operated with a refreshing political incorrectness that expertly toes the line of edgy without ever becoming offensive, a true testament to his sharp observational skills of the world around him.
In Reel Life is touring around Australia and tickets are available from Frontier Touring.
Sheldon Ang Media would like to thank Frontier Touring and Jimmy Rees for the media invite.
About the writer: Krystal Galloway lives and breathes music, finding her happy place in the sea of fans who come together to experience the magic of live performances. After attending her first concert – Justin Timberlake – her enthusiasm turned into a lifelong hobby. She has since seen over 100 of her favorite acts, including global superstars like KISS, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Usher, Nelly, Ne-Yo and Chris Brown, along with Australian favorites like The Screaming Jets, The Angels, Birds of Tokyo, Cold Chisel, and Bliss & Eso—just to name a few—all in her home city of Western Australia. With this extensive concert experience, Krystal has developed a deep appreciation for the artistry behind live performances, gaining a unique perspective on the dedication and energy that goes into every show
Perth-based Sheldon Ang Media (est. May 2022) have been accredited to more than 200 of the hottest acts including Taylor Swift (ERAS Tour in Sydney), Coldplay (Perth), Backstreet Boys, KISS, Iron Maiden, RHCP, P!NK and Suzi Quatro with reviews shared by the likes of Belinda Carlisle, Roxette, Tina Arena, UB40, Delta Goodrem, Leo Sayer and Tina Arena on social media. The founder has interviewed rockers Suzi Quatro, Ace Frehley (KISS), John Steel (The Animals), Frank Ferrer (Guns N Roses), Phil X (Bon Jovi), Andrew Farris (INXS), plus over 100 artists. He’s also a contributor on Triple M Radio as a music journalist.
