Sooshi Mango are coming to a stage near you. Photo: Brett Schewitz.
Comedy troupe Sooshi Mango are returning to Shepparton with an all-new show you really don’t want to miss.
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If you don’t know them by name, you’ll probably recognise their faces from your screens.
They have amassed over one billion views and more than five million followers across platforms since they began posting short skits on Facebook in 2015.
Their developed cast of iconic characters, including the “ethnic dads” Johnny, Vince and Sam and “the mums” Giuseppina, Carmela and Angela, are based on their beloved Italian family and experiences growing up in Australia.
Their online success and relatable, nostalgic and funny material have rocketed them to the stage, the big screen and beyond.
Now, Melbourne-raised brothers Joe Salanitri and Carlo Salanitri and friend Andrew Manfre are returning to regional stages with all new material.
The ‘Home Made’ tour comes from an international tour that took the group to London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and beyond.
It features the same beloved characters in new, hilarious situations — only this time, it’s bigger and better. (Think fireworks, dance, music and more.)
As the boys put it, a “lot more bells and whistles”.
“Every show we do, we try to up the ante when we write it ... and (this show) is just on another level,” Andrew said.
“Every time we write, we get a little bit better and better. Because you obviously get better at your craft as you go along. This show is, we’re really, really proud of it.”
Sooshi Mango are excited to be coming back to Shepparton. Photo: Brett Schewitz.
Going from short skits to performing sold out live shows around the world, and even producing an upcoming feature length film, the group have had a lot to adapt to — and a lot of jokes to write.
But to them, with years of experience growing up in and around Italian and Greek families, it’s almost as easy as breathing, and they have no plans to slow down yet.
“The typical answer is that we grew up around it, and yeah, that’s partly true but these characters sort of build their own personality after a while ... they grow their own heartbeat, their own mind,” Carlo said.
No matter what kind of situation you put them in, the cast of characters will react in their own unique ways, leaving endless possibilities for humour.
Despite not considering themselves “big” just yet, Joe said they never expected things to take them this far.
“We started out just having a good time ourselves. It was a bit of an outlet for us, and we were having a great time,” he said.
“Then after a little while, I guess people were just drawn to it and enjoying it. We ended up feeling like we had a bit of an obligation to keep going, and keep moving forward.
“We’ve still got a lot to do. So yeah, we just want to keep striving to be better.”
The group are determined to push the limits of a comedy show even further with this tour, and Andrew said they tried to make each night an unforgettable event.
“We do the best we can to make this not just a comedy show. Of course, it’s about laughing. We’ve got to bring the laughs all the way through,” he said.
“But there’s song and dance and rock and roll, and fireworks, and lighting, and all kinds of stuff in our shows. We make it an event.
“We want people think they’ve left a KISS concert when they go home, and that’s why I think we’ve been able to sell out these arenas and do this stuff.
“Even though the Shepparton theatre is not an arena, we will still try and bring that same energy to that show.”
Rather than holding back, the boys said they would “go harder” for Shepparton.
“Last time we came (to Shepparton) they were just amazing, a great crowd. We sort of can’t wait to get back there, to be honest,” Joe said.
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