Category: Stand-Up Comedy

Events, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Theatre, Whats On December 2, 2012December 2, 2012

Review: DEATH OF A COMEDIAN at La Mama Courthouse

Getting behind the scenes of the comedy circuit

By Myron My

Death of a Comedian by Fred Rowan is a privileged view into the green room of a local comedy club as a group of comedians warm up for their show, but it might as well be a group of patients in the waiting room of a medical centre awaiting test results. As the performers wait backstage we witness their tension and anxieties, and as they return from the stage we wait with dread to see if they “killed it or were killed”.

The whole amusing performance takes place over the course of this one night in the green room. The set design was very realistic in depicting what the back room of a pub looks like, and some great stage lighting involved having the comedian who was giving their set take centre stage while the rest of the cast remained in the background of the green room, thus allowing the two worlds to combine yet remaining visually separate.

Jeremy Kewley was brilliant as Graham Dempster, the organizer of the event raising funds for a hospital. His energy and endearingly annoying character were well received by the audience. Kevin Summers as a comedian desperate for a comeback, Johnny Mazing, was reminiscent of the fear we all have of not wanting to be forgotten and trying to hold onto our past. Although it took him a while to settle into his character, the audience was firmly on his side by the end. Believing in a few of the other performers was sometimes a struggle however: it felt like I was watching comedians acting and not actors being comedians.

There was some sharp dialogue and at times this reminded me of the backstage shenanigans that go on during something like Noises Off! which allowed Death of a Comedian to bring home the laughs. I think cutting ten minutes from the show would have created a much cleaner show and the ending, whilst trying to bring in some poignancy, needed editing too as it seemed to go on that little bit too long.

Death of a Comedian is, self-consciously, a drama about comedy. But there are more than enough laughs in this production to make you think otherwise.

Venue: La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St, Carlton

Season: Until 9 December | Wed, Sun 6:30pm. Thu-Sat 7:30pm

Tickets: $25 Full | $15 Concession

Bookings: http://lamama.com.au

Events, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On November 13, 2012November 13, 2012

REVIEW: David Strassman’s CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR

Or the voices in your head might start talking back…!

By Deborah Langley

David Strassman. He’s the dark-edged, avant-garde artist who lifted ventriloquism into the 21st century, acquiring a multitude of fans and critical acclaim along the way for his outstanding skill and his ability to push the medium to another level – and he is back in Melbourne after three years. Led by the evil Chuck Wood and delightfully cute Ted E Bare, Strassman’s developed characters and high-tech puppetronics creates a multi-layered stage performance that is easy to forget is a one-man show.

With the use of sophisticated multi-media and some tried-and-tested pantomime repertoire, Careful What You Wish For takes the audience inside Strassman’s head as he plays out his different alter egos through the use of various puppets and robots.

Using the premise that Strassman wants to retire, but his characters are not interested in spending the rest of eternity in some museum or stuck in a suitcase, we are introduced to some for the audience’s favourite characters. Of course the aforementioned Chuck and Teddy feature prominently, but we also get to meet the Vegas Stand-Up Sid the Beaver, the doddery Grandpa Fred, a female character Angel the wish-granting robot, and my favourite, the old-fashioned (albeit very drunk) Buttons The Clown.

Strassman manages to keep the material local and current with references to Geelong bogans, Julia Gillard, Mitt Romney and the Dandenongs, and he certainly has the audience eating out of his hand for the full two hours with toilet humour, low-brow and gay jokes running the show.

For me, the homophobic element got a little too much as did the Frankston bashing but I am sure I was the only one to notice as audience members engaged with every joke offered. Even a shameless demonstration of Strassman’s new Fortune-Telling App was a crowd-pleaser with audience members offering up questions for Ted E Bare and Chuck to answer. “Will I get laid tonight?” was answered favourably by the Chuck App, even though Stassman himself obviously thought differently…!

The show ends, elated, as Stassman and his puppetronics join together in a medley of some of the funnest songs making the audience clap along and making this reviewer feel like a big kid again. As we’re walking out, the next audience is busting to see what all the cheers were about as this master performer gets ready to do it all again.

David Strassman’s Careful What You Wish For is playing at the Athenaeum Theatre until December. Bookings can be made through Ticketek on 1300 795 012

Events, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On November 11, 2012November 11, 2012

Review: PANIC! with Neil Sinclair

Crisis advice has never been so charming

By Myron My

Neil Sinclair’s stand-up show Panic! delves into the British comedian’s personal experience of the riots in London last year.

Sinclair’s recount of seeing roads on fire and people getting dragged from their cars to tales of a looter’s attempts to break into his flat cover much of the “equal parts terrifying and equal parts hilarious” moments he refers to.

Sinclair comes up with three sure-fire way to protect oneself from the looters from his man-made ‘command centre’ in his kitchen flat. Barricade your door with ANYTHING you can get your hands on, dress like a looter and get drunk! His story-telling methods are very relaxed, the flow of which is quite smooth as he includes the before and after effects of the London riots.

Sinclair has some great interaction with the audience, and there are many times when those invisible barriers are let down and it feels like you are just having a chat with a friend.

His lesson on the ‘art of small talk’ to help ease the tension after the riots was a highlight and there is something about the presence of an old school cassette player that I find endearing in any show.

Panic! is littered with pop culture references and only the coolest of the cool will understand them; I managed three. Sinclair has some great word play and some ‘pun-tastic moments’ with his “command centre” twitter feed but even when he makes a few bad ‘dad’ jokes he takes on the failure with a cheeky smile and moves on. This is indicative of Sinclair’s humbleness and his affableness as a performer.

At only 45 minutes, it is quite a short show but this is clearly an example of quality over quantity and Sinclair’s personable nature makes him one to keep an eye out for in the future.

Venue: The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne

Season: Until 11 November | 7:00pm, Sun 6:00pm

Tickets: $15 Full | $10 Concession

Bookings: http://thebutterflyclub.com

Events, Festivals, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On April 12, 2012April 12, 2012

Review: CELIA PACQUOLA is Delayed

Tons of charm, and hilarious story-telling

By Myron My

Celia Pacquola is brilliant and I will explain why. Her Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Delayed is full of energy and spark. Pacquola has quite a skill in storytelling and you can really see her getting into the moment as she relays the misadventures of her life as an expat in London.

Most notably this is seen in her eyes which express so much: almost a life of their own! In fact, if there were an award for the comedian with the most expressive eyes, Pacquola would win without a doubt.

Thankfully though, she doesn’t fall into the trap a lot of female comedians do and begin talking about being desperate or terrible with men. Pacquola looks at other much hard-hitting subjects like flight attendants who control time, bitch hair and lies our parents told us.

Covering quite an array of topics in 60 minutes could make for a bit of a convoluted and haphazard (word of the day) set, but Pacquola makes it all flow rhythmically and tie in with her long-term long-distance relationship story arc.

The intimacy of the room – helped by the full house – added to the relationship Pacquola established with her audience as she successfully talks about her two-year gap year without ever boring us. With extra shows being added due to popular demand, Pacquola’s show is one that cannot be missed.

Pacquola mentioned in her show that using your thumbs in a dance move will always make it look bad, because thumbs make anything look bad. I would like to prove her wrong and give two thumbs up for Delayed (and yes, I made a dad joke).

VENUE
Melbourne Town Hall
DATES
Until 22 April
TIMES
Tue-Sat 8.30pm
Sun 7.30pm
Fri 13th & Sat 14th April 6pm
PRICES
Full Fri & Sat $28
Full Wed-Thu
Full Sun $26
BOOKINGS
Ticketmaster 1300 660 013

Events, Festivals, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On April 9, 2012

REVIEW: Matt Okine is BEING BLACK & CHICKEN & S#%T

Not for everyone, but definitely worth the watch

By Myron My

When I decided to see some new comedians for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, I was instantly attracted to Matt Okine for one particular reason: the name of his show: Being Black & Chicken & S#%t. This was definitely someone with my type of humour.

There was a strong audience warmth projected towards Okine and this is in no doubt the result of the immediate interaction he created with us and within seconds of being on stage. Through his comic discussion of the mundane things in life, Okine connects and bonds with us all including topics such as wheelie bins, sushi trains and – the crux of his routine – fishing.

Okine shares some personal moments with us and the majority of his routine is about a fishing trip with his father and the back-story to that. You can see that when Okine discusses this, he isn’t acting but is being open and honest with his audience, which is an extremely positive quality to have as a comedian.

There were a few moments, which I believe, were a little flat but judging by the audience reaction, I was definitely in the minority. And I am all about not being restricted to political correctness in comedy; it can be offensive and that’s the risk you take as a comedian but used correctly can be extremely funny. I just think there needs to be a build-up to it or a common theme otherwise you run the risk of being controversial for the sake of being controversial.

Okine is definitely a face to keep an eye on. It may not have been the sort of humour I was looking for, but there were enough laughs to consider seeing this rising star of the comedy circuit again. And I also got to learn some very interesting yet disturbing facts about the wonders of sea creatures.

VENUE
Melbourne Town Hall
DATE
Until 22 April
TIMES
Tue-Sat 9.30pm
Sun 8.30pm
PRICES
Full Fri & Sat $19
Full Tue-Thu & Sun $15
BOOKINGS
Ticketmaster: 1300 660 013

Events, Festivals, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On April 6, 2012April 6, 2012

REVIEW: Joel Creasey’s NAKED

A young comedian on the rise

By Myron My

I first saw Joel Creasey perform at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. That was his debut on the circuit and I was very impressed with the wit and the casual bitchiness that he delivered.

Fast-forward two years later and I am sitting at the Melbourne Town Hall watching Joel Creasey’s Naked. (Please take note of the ‘s in that sentence).

Two things I notice immediately. There is a lot more confidence and punch to his routine and the room is a bit bigger than his debut gig venue. Creasey is clearly moving up in the stand-up food-chain. On the flip side, the wrist is still limp so I know it’s still the same guy standing on stage making me laugh.

In Naked, Creasey looks at four themes: fear, secrets, nudity and Xena. I’m not quite sure how Xena fits in with the other three, but hey, let’s go with it! And that’s what you need to do when watching one of Creasey’s shows. He’s a bit like a kid in a candy store: talking really excitedly about everything and anything that pops into his head. Fortunately that anything is usually quite funny.

It’s no secret that Creasey is gay (or at least it isn’t now) and the topic of homosexuality is undoubtedly brought up in the show. Even though it is done with humour, there is a hint of seriousness and social commentary on the difficulties that gay youth experience whilst growing up. Thirty seconds later and you’re hearing about Creasey’s grandmother’s speed-dating experience. You just don’t know what is going to come out of his mouth next.

At 21, Creasey definitely has a lot of potential to just get bigger and bigger in the comedy scene. His self-deprecating humour is a winner with audiences and there is even a lovely surprise for them after the “credits roll”.

VENUE
Melb Town Hall – Backstage Room

DATES
Until 22 April

TIMES
Mon 9.30pm
Tue-Sat 9.45pm
Sun 8.45pm

PRICES
Full $22
Concession $18

BOOKINGS
Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 or at the door

Events, Festivals, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On April 3, 2012

Review: VICTORIA HEALY in Independent Woman Part 2

Girl power unplugged

By Myron My

In the back of Melbourne bar, Rue Bebelons, Victoria Healy takes to the stage to perform her 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, Independent Woman Part 2.

With a swagger of “girl power”-themed musical interludes, Healy discusses various moments of a young girl’s life when she begins to define herself as a woman. She’s not a girl, not yet a woman. All she needs is time…(and I’m going to stop there).

Beginning with “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, Healy reminisces about her glorious high school days where she would happily compare herself to Scary Spice and later, the unfortunate self-appointing membership to the girl gang; The Fish Crew. Oh, the folly of youth.

Healy continues to get in touch with her feminine side with the aide of asrtists like Shania Twain, Beyonce, and Corinne Bailey Rae. We see Healy’s trials and tribulations regarding hair maintenance, the efforts women will go to to win a jelly-wrestling competition (I really hope this story is true) and even rhythmic gymnastics gets an honourable mention.

On a technical note, my only criticism of the show would be the lighting. Just a touch brighter would have made a world of difference in my eyes – literally. Despite the small stage area, Healy uses it well and this is where you see her improvisation experience and knowledge come into play. The characters she creates throughout her stories, such as the racist who decides to eat in Chinatown, are well thought-out caricatures and deliver the laughs where needed. You almost forget that it’s a one-woman show at times due to their realness.

Ultimately this story is Healy’s journey to becoming a confident, sexy and dare I say it; independent (there, I did) woman. After the show, my two female companions spent a good half an hour not only discussing what Victoria had said but agreeing with it and relaying their similar experiences. At one point, I even found myself relating to things.

Regardless of your generational letter, with her warm and welcoming ways, it seems Healy’s Independent Woman Part 2 is hitting a chord with women and men alike. Zig-a-zag-ah!

VENUE
Rue Bebelons Upstairs
267 Little Lonsdale St
DATES
until 22 April
TIMES
Mon 6pm Fri-Sun 9.45pm
PRICES
Full $20  (Cheap Mondays $16)
BOOKINGS
Online or at the door

Events, Festivals, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On March 30, 2012March 30, 2012

Review: WIL ANDERSON is Wilarious

Melbourne Comedy Festival fare at its finest

By Myron My

The first thing I noticed when Wil Anderson came on stage to perform his 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Wilarious, were the missing presence of thongs.

I have seen Wil perform five times and each time he has never worn proper shoes. I felt this was going to be a very different show with him standing in front of a room full of people – except for the two empty seats front row center (their loss) – wearing shoes!

The beauty of Wil is that much of what he says has probably happened to many people, but it’s stuff that hardly anyone is willing to admit in a public forum. Put your hand up if you would happily (ok, maybe not happily) admit that “someone once fell asleep as I was going down on them”. Didn’t think so. But Wil does. And despite the subject matter, he doesn’t allow it get into crass territory, a trap into which so many others fall into.

Much of Wilarious does however draw on current issues and social commentary. There a perfect blend of seriousness and humour in what Wil has to say: from gay marriage rights to teaching kids that life isn’t always fair and not having them believe everyone comes up a winner all the time. There is truthfulness and reality to what Wil is saying and with his unique blend of story-telling and humour, and it makes for some poignant moments too – followed by fits of laughter.

Wil tells us that his mantra in life is that if you hear something negative, turn it into a positive. Sadly, it cannot be done in this circumstance as Wil is in top form delivering the right amount of laughs with the right amount of thinking and intellect. Wilarious met and exceeded expectations, reminding me why Wil Anderson is still considered as one of the best Australian stand-up comedians today.

VENUE
The Comedy Theatre
Cnr Exhibition & Lonsdale Sts, Melbourne
DATES
28 March – 15 April
TIMES
29 Mar-15 Apr Tue-Sat 8.45pm
Sun 6.15pm
PRICES
Full Sat $40
Full Wed-Fri & Sun $36
Concession $30 (N/A Fri & Sat)
Bookings: http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/

Cabaret, Cabaret Review, Events, Performances, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On March 4, 2012March 4, 2012

REVIEW: Fabian Lapham in REALITY CAN BLOW ME

Opening a chaotic can of comedy

By Adam Tonking

Fabian Lapham’s Reality Can Blow Me is a one-man show more in the style of a stand-up routine than anything else. He takes to the stage, nervous and awkward, and explains self-deprecatingly that there is no linear narrative, that the nature of reality will not be discussed, and nothing will get blown.

Then he amuses the audience for the next fifty minutes with various shtick; from observational humour, to one-liners, to sight gags, to comedic songs… Everything is thrown at the audience to make them laugh.

And it worked. While Lapham’s show would have been much better suited to a larger audience than were present the night I attended, our small group were laughing and applauding heartily at Lapham’s various antics. His running gags – dance routines commenting on the action, and impersonations of impersonations – scattered throughout the show were received particularly well.

My personal highlight was his series of “Tiny Stories,” including a novelisation of Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, told as a noir detective story. His songs were clever and well-written, if not well-executed, and build to a great finale – every show needs a good ending.

Lapham is clearly a talented comic, but the constant shift of pace as he switched between different styles of comedy was at times confusing for the audience as they struggled to keep up. The gags were genuinely funny, and giving the audience more time to absorb them would have helped.

Lapham’s self-referential commentary on the progress of the show seemed a slightly dated device, and at times appeared apologetic for the show’s lack of structure. However, there were enough entertaining moments in the show to make it a fun night out, and to suggest great things from Lapham in the future.

Fabian Lapham’s Reality Can Blow Me is on at The Butterfly Club, 204 Bank Street, South Melbourne, from Thursday 1st March till Sunday 4th March at 9pm, or 8pm on Sunday. Book at www.thebutterflyclub.com

Events, Performances, Review, Stand-Up Comedy, Whats On November 7, 2011November 7, 2011

Review: AUSTEN TAYSHUS is The Merchant of Menace

Merciless night of comedy with an Australian icon

By Anastasia Russell-Head

The Butterfly Club’s small performance space was comfortably almost-filled on Saturday night for Australian icon, the raw and politically incorrect Austen Tayshus.

Known to many for his hit 1983 single Australiana, he is a veteran of the stand-up scene, having performed over 10,000 shows.

Taking to the stage in his trademark dark suit and shades, he proceeded to spin a web of comedic tangents, sometimes with a punchline or two thrown in for good measure.

The subjects of his humour were shown no mercy, with Jews, Muslims, South Africans, and Australians alike in the firing line.

Most of this is hilariously funny, especially his imitations of accents, which are spot-on. Some of it however, sails rather close to the wind, and in my opinion several of the Muslim jokes in particular go a bit too far.

That said, his wit is unprejudiced, and everyone is tarred with the same brush – himself, his career, even the audience, who are berated if they are not laughing enough, and teased when they laugh too much.

The audience is often a source of comedic ammunition – people’s marriages, jobs, state-of-sobriety – but no-one is offended; rather we all feel part of the joke.