It’s been 35 years since Expo 88—the mega six-month long Brisbane carnival that attracted over 15 million visitors in 1989. (Unbelievable, we know!).

Comedian Tim Ross was one of the few who missed out on the exhibition, but that hasn’t stopped him from using it as the starting point of his new one-man show, Rosso 88.

Rosso 88 is a nostalgic romp through Tim’s defining moments of Australiana. The show begins next month, and will tour significant architecturally-designed homes across the country.

‘Like a classic hits radio station, I’m plating up the best and the worst Australia had to offer from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s,’ says Tim. ‘If you’ve ever been remotely curious about the history of the Dunlop KT26, then this is definitely the show for you.’

Tickets are currently selling for the April 27th and 28th shows at the Crigan House in St Kilda, Melbourne. Architect Allan Powell designed the contemporary house in 1989, describing it as an ‘attempt to bring together the meanings that I found in St Kilda.’ 

‘It’s a kind of playful carnival type of architecture by the sea,’ Powell said. In more recent years, the home has been renovated by interior architect Edwina Glenn.

Rosso 88 is the latest in a series of shows Tim Ross has performed in architecturally-significant buildings over the past few years. His championing of the built environment—notably modernism and its protection— has propelled Australian design in popular media, winning him two National Trust Heritage awards, and the 2019 National President’s Prize from the Australian Institute of Architects.

All these accolades have us wondering, could Tim be considered a national treasure? If not just yet, he’s well on his way! 

Rosso 88 at Crigan House
Thursday April 27th, 7pm
Friday April 28th, 7pm
St Kilda, Victoria
Tickets on sale now