Tag: hilarious

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

Cabaret, Cabaret Review, Events, Performances, Review, Whats On October 14, 2011October 17, 2011

Review: MEL TRICKEY in Happiness 101

Do something that makes you happy!

By Adam Tonking

Happiness 101: Laughter is the Best Pseudo-Science! introduces us to esteemed academic Professor Geraldine Gravis, as played by Mel Trickey, who is here to lecture us on happiness, what it is and how to achieve it as proven through her scientific methods.

Not everything goes according to plan as her logic unravels and her inner yearnings reveal themselves, all for the entertainment of the audience.

This show is a perfect example of brilliantly-crafted cabaret, performed and written by Trickey. It has everything: a clear and engaging story, well-chosen songs to serve said story, a fully-realised character taking us along for the ride.

Trickey commanded the stage from the start, involving the audience – on Thursday night we were quite a small crowd which can be, well, tricky – but she was so charming that we were happy to play along. The left turn the story takes in the middle could have become trite and obvious, but as handled by Trickey was completely successful.

A lot of the humour in Happiness 101 relies on its ability to surprise the audience, and in the interests of people enjoying it as thoroughly as I did, I’m trying not to reveal too many of the details.

The show, however, reaches its pinnacle near the end in an amazing medley where the Professor realises her lifelong dream. This moment is equal parts hilarious and spectacular, and I almost wish the show had ended at that point – it’s so good that anything after that feels like coming down.

Trickey was excellent in this show. She hits some amazing notes, assisted by accompanist Rowland Brache, who not only played beautifully, but also engaged in some lively banter with his esteemed colleague, much to the audience’s amusement. Direction by Kim Edwards also deserves applause for making great use of the venue’s idiosyncrasies and keeping the action lively and varied.

I genuinely cannot say enough nice things about this show. Do yourself a favour and get on board. I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything about happiness, but you will definitely be happier for seeing it.

Happiness 101: Laughter is the Best Pseudo-Science! is on at The Butterfly Club, South Melbourne, from 13^th to 15^th October at 7pm, and 16^th October at 6pm.

Bookings through www.thebutterflyclub.com or 9696 2000.

Cabaret, Events, Festivals, Performances, Whats On September 15, 2011September 15, 2011

ANA-LUCIA AND THE BARON: She’s Back in Melbourne!

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN?

She’s sassy, sexy, extremely dangerous – and totally hilarious!

That’s right, folks: THREE sell-out seasons clearly wasn’t enough for Melbourne’s favourite femme fatale!

With the ever-amazing Trevor Jones moonlighting at the piano as the enigmatic Juan Pablo, that mysterious and fabulous French con-woman Ana-Lucia is back for a final performance of her infamous comedy cabaret in a brand-new venue…

Ana-Lucia and the Baron (Episode One) is part of the special Fringe festival event (Butterfly @ Trades Hall) this month where our gorgeous and glamorous girl will be hosting her own welcome home party, and you and all her closest friends are invited!

Not that she remembers who you are, of course… or more importantly who she is!

She seems to have lost her memory, but just between you and me, isn’t she being hunted down by the evil Baron, who may or may not be her one true love, over some diamonds that she may or may not have stolen?

So put the date in your diary, pour the champagne, pull out your party shoes (and hide your diamonds!) because for this unique one-night performance, Ana-Lucia herself has promised:

“Zis will be… ‘ow you say?? … a ‘oot!”