“Baddest. Cowboy. Texas.” These are a few words that describe the baddest cowboy in Texas. With the help of director Cecily Nash, Minnesota clown Lil Wenker has created a laugh a minute comedy journey, in which a Cowboy meets his Nemesis. Bangtail is basically an unbridled hour of controlled clown chaos. Performed in the intimate Gallery space in the Adelaide Fringe Courtyard of Curiosities, Wenker squeezes every last cliche from the Western genre.
Regaled in the cowboy outfit, Wenker, complete with spoons for spurs, sizes up the audience. Wenker’s physical impressions have the audience howling with laughter, even before a word is spoken. She assigns tasks to random participants. A noise, or an animal impersonation, for example. A short phrase to memorise. These become important as the show progresses. With minimal props, we can imagine the Cowboy climbing a mountain or snaring a girl at the bar. Complete with the baddest cowboy accent to boot.
Without giving away too much of the plot, the cowboy discovers his nemesis, played perfectly by a front row volunteer. The humour relies heavily on audience participation, but this was freely given. In fact, much of the humour came from the odd moments of misunderstanding by the people selected. It was all in good taste.
After encountering his nemesis, the cowboy loses his boots, hat and shirt, allowing the audience to discover that the cowboy is actually a cow-girl. Which was rather funny moment with a pair of stick on moustaches for a moment of false modesty. He then transitions into becoming an accountant. Perhaps the story-line seems pretty thin, but the physical theatre is really what the show is about.
All in all, Lil Wenker’s ability to capture moments with subtle eye contact, a smile or a word is what makes this tale an award winning show. Having sold out a US Tour in 2024 and being a weekly Fringe Award winner in 2025, this is a show that you must see if you need to shake your funny bone. You’ll never look at cowboy movies the same way again.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The write attended the performance on 19th March
Lil Wenker’s Bangtail plays at the Courtyard of Curiosities at the Adelaide Fringe until 23rd March.
There’s a man insearch of his manhood – will he find it in your town?
