Comedian hypnotist Matt Hale returns to the Adelaide Fringe with a new show Funbelievable! 90s Rewind. It’s hellbent on ’90s music and TV references; delivering the ultimate big party soundtrack. Add a dose of audience participation – yep he’s a hypnotist remember – and well the rest is a spell binding laugh-fuelled sing-a-long with participants getting more than they actually realise.
Matt Hale spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Perth. I’m UK-born, but despite constant travel, my home base has been here for 25 years, yet I still sound like a tourist when I continually marvel at how amazing the beaches are. White sand, clean blue ocean, never crowded, and perfect summer winds to take the edge off the heat and serve up epic conditions for downwind foiling, a sport that I love. The city feels relaxed and easy to get around, yet with a population of two million+, still attracts major events and touring acts. I have to fly a lot for shows, but I can’t beat the lifestyle at home.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The Crispy Fried Brussel Sprouts at Ông Vietnamese on Rundle St in Adelaide. Something I look forward to every year when I head back to perform at Adelaide Fringe. Cooked with honey and fermented chilli, they are just incredible.
FAVOURITE BAR
Little Wave in my home beachside suburb of Scarborough in Perth. I cut alcohol out of my drinks a number of years ago, so I love their Virgin Negroni, and it’s a perfect sunset spot to sip on one and watch the sun slowly slip down into the Indian Ocean.
DRINK THAT DESCRIBES YOU
One of the non-alcoholic beers I love comes from New Zealand brewers Garage Project who produce Tiny. In their official blurb it’s described as tiny, but mighty, with big juicy hop character. Yeah, I’ll take that.
BEST HANGOVER CURE
What’s a hangover? See above.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
A temporary hidden gem, if you can get in, is Club Curious in the Gluttony Hub. Essentially it’s a late night, open air, Fringe artist bar, but at certain times it swings its doors open for the public too. Feels like a hidden little wonderland, where you’ll find it buzzing with Fringe artists and crew winding down after their shows. And if Adelaide turns on one of those hot summer nights, no better place to end up.
OVERSEAS BAR
I’m an Ibiza tragic, after spending a season DJing there many years ago, and it still pulls me back almost every year. Despite its roots as a little bar on the Sunset Strip in San Antonio, Cafe Mambo is now a much bigger island institution, but still a great spot to watch the sunset with a drink, and then catch a huge international superstar DJ throwing down a casual pre-party set before they headline one of the superclubs.
FAVOURITE WINE
Although no longer a drinker, I still love sitting around with friends who are enjoying a bottle, so I’m going to go with one that my wife and friends really enjoy – McHenry Hohnen Chloé Rosé.
FAVOURITE WINERY
McHenry Hohnen Cellar Door is a fantastic winery in the world-famous Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. They’ve also just added a beautiful wine bar to their cellar door in the quaint little town of Witchcliffe
NEXT DESTINATION
After Adelaide Fringe, it’s either Japan for some snowboarding if snow depth is still good, or Indonesia for some surfing.
SHOW DETAILS
Hypnotist Matt Hale: Funbelievable! 90s Rewind
20 Feb to 22 March at Gluttony, Adelaide Fringe
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/hypnotist-matt-hale-funbelievable-90s-rewind-af2026
