Laughter erupted in waves at the Estonian House in Melbourne last Saturday, 29 March 2025. It wasn’t polite chuckling or restrained giggles – it was the kind of uncontrollable, full-body laughter that leaves you gasping for breath and wiping away tears. And for that, we have Estonian comedian Sander Õigus to thank, who hit the mark – no, bullseye – with his show “Otse kümnesse” (Straight to Bullseye).
The audience became a symphony of laughter, each person their own unique instrument in an orchestra of hilarity, completely forgetting to take turns. Timing? Who needed it! The only rule of the night was to let go and enjoy the madness…
A mysterious start… or not?
The downstairs bar was packed. Young Estonians had taken over, their glasses clinking as they soaked in the buzzing atmosphere. A romantic trail of candles led the way to the seating area, the dim lighting leaving us momentarily guessing: was this about to be an intimate theatre performance? A surprise screening of When Harry Met Sally in Estonian?
Absolutely not.
The moment Sander took the stage, it was crystal clear – this was no romcom! This was comedy, raw and stripped down to its core: masculine, honest and 100% Sander. Straight to the bullseye, as promised.
Comedy as it should be
With his quick wit and razor-sharp humour, Sander delivered one zinger after another, each joke landing harder than the last. His warm-up act, Rahul Dao, set the perfect tone, loosening us up for the comedic storm that followed. And boy, did Sander deliver. They say he’s sharp – he proved it. They say he’s funny – he delivered in bucketloads.
What was the show about?
But what was the show about, you ask? Laughter, obviously! But does it even matter? Comedy is about being present, about shared joy, about finding those rare moments where a comedian’s humour aligns so perfectly with yours that it feels like they’re reading your mind. It’s about the connection between performer and audience – when done right, they could say anything and you’d still be doubled over.
A night to remember
And if you need proof that people had a great time? The bar ran dry, and nobody wanted to leave. The energy lingered long after the final punchline, a warm glow of shared joy in the air. Good laughs in Estonian are a rare commodity in these parts, so if Sander ever returns, I’ll be the first in line.
One more chance to laugh!
Speaking of which – he is back for one more show! If you’re in Perth, don’t miss out: Sander Õigus takes the stage again this Saturday, 5 April 2025, at 7 pm at the Royal Theatre. Book your tickets here.
Sander, you absolute legend – come back soon!
Today is the perfect day to celebrate all things comedy and shared joy. Happy April Fools’ Day! We hope you find something to laugh about and share a smile with someone.
Links
Sander Õigus Facebook page is linked here.
