Review – RAW Comedy SA State Final
We sent two heckler to give us their opinions on the South Australian RAW Comedy Finalists. Do they agree? Disagree? Read on and find out.
Jess: From the many comedy warriors vying for glory, one is chosen. The Raw Comedy South Australian State Final delivered a delightful array of comedy styles and a solid showcase of local talent with potential aplenty. The delightful Cal Wilson emceed the evening, keeping the crowd warm and cuddled between the embraces of fleeting comedians. Performances from last year’s winner Demi Lardner and the Umbilical Brothers ensured the crowd was effectively charmed while the judges generated their closing judgment.
Marc Ryan – Winner
Jess: Marc Ryan took this year’s coveted balloon trophy with an endearing mix of hard-core bogan and clever storyteller. His physical appearance with compulsory mullet belies the robust comedian hidden within. At ease in the spotlight, it feels like he’s chatting with friends rather than giving a performance and his topics of conversation are both welcoming and applicable. He is well deserving of this win and is sure to rank well in Melbourne.
Shane: He hit a game-winning dinger in the 5th inning. Affable, confident, joyous. His brand of bogan comedy washed over the audience like a benevolent tidal wave of mullet. Deserving winner. Jesus is a bogan.
Jess: As for the other performers (in order of appearance):
Jess: One of my stand-outs for the night, Marcel took control of the stage as soon as he walked on. Maybe it was the deep voice, maybe it was the bear song, but whatever it was I was entranced. His piece was beautifully written, telling stories that flowed effortlessly into each other and flawlessly resolved. His confident choice of get the crowd singing was testament to his comedic aptitude.
Shane: Bears, Terminator 2, teaching, personal theme songs: Marcel’s bits worked really well with a big audience who wouldn’t have known about racial profiling in bears. Sing-a-longs are always a good time.
Jess: I felt Nick was a little uneasy with the large amount of space around him as half of the time he spent inspecting the mic stand. Not to say it wasn’t a lovely mic stand, but it would have been nice to see him look up and engage a little more. His material was a little predictable and formulaic but solid, with at least one topic available for everyone to have a chuckle at.
Shane: Self-proclaimed hipster. I’m not really sure what to think about that. I’m just not going to think about it.
Jess: Lewis presented himself initially as a bit vulnerable, a bit fragile. This was a dastardly ploy that I was happy to fall for. His performance was a successful balance of making a valid point about society and making a funny – often at his own expense. Open, clear and confident, this self-depreciating routine is strong enough for any club.
Shane: Jury’s still out. I know this guy is very good but he just didn’t seem to bring it tonight.
Jess: Fast paced and very politically incorrect, John Cameron delivered a confident and scathing performance. His short story style means that the routine never got stuck in a rut, but there were a few times where I felt he didn’t quite get the most out of his material. Nevertheless, I loved that he was willing to take a chance on shock witticisms that could have turned the crowd against him. It paid off.
Shane: Meh. Some political bits were decent. I’ve never seen him before, so here’s to not passing judgement…yet.
Jess: I thought that this performance started out a little green and it took too long for Vaughan to find his groove. His impersonations seemed to only halfway find their mark, though I really appreciated the creative basis behind them. His narratives, which got better as time went on, were a stand out for me. His tying together of the piece was a little harsh, but justifiable.
Shane: I thought he was the youngest finalist (wrong!). He’s gotten so much better lately but seemed a little rushed and overwhelmed. Still, 18 years old. Father Time is on his side.
Jess: Matt was smooth. From the moment he walked on stage: smooth. His prose was graceful and accessible, making even his weather observations a joy to experience. Another of my favourites of the night, Matt’s style and charisma is showcased perfectly by his solid material.
Shane: Can’t remember this guy. I thought he was good, based on my note. Confident and whatnot.
Jess: A little out-of-sorts to begin with, Joe eventually found his footing a few minutes in, landing huge laughs in the middle of his set. This must have given him the boost he needed, as he began to loosen up and enjoy himself. More experience and confidence under his belt will have him producing stellar routines.
Shane: Joe the Miner. Modern bogan. He was against it from the get go with Marc Ryan up earlier, although he did OK. Seemed a little nervous and lost.
Jess: Having only done a handful of shows before landing a place in the finals, Sophie was understandably nervous. There were a few times where she almost dropped the story, but ultimately she held it together well. She may have alienated some of the audience with her geeky choice of theme, but her explanations were solid enough to at least bring them along for the ride. She’s done well to make it to the finals, but needs to seek out more stage time to improve her show.
Shane: A girl, A GIRL!!! Only been in the game for a few months and the significance of the Final perhaps gave her the jitters a little. A few slip ups and mumbles but her stuff hit the spot in parts.
Jess: One of the snappiest dressed comedians of the night, Patrick provided a delightfully offbeat description of his current place in the world. Self-deprecatory, yet optimistic, his fluid storytelling style made him and his performance exceptionally endearing.
Shane: I’ve seen this guy a lot and he is real good, consistently. Tonight just wasn’t his night. Do yourself a favour and seek him out during the year.
Jess: Some may feel more comfortable standing in their small area on stage – not so Nicholas Huntley. This guy was moving so much it was sometimes hard to keep track of what was going on. His excessive relocation across the stage wasn’t the only thing moving quickly – after a joke about boat people went south he managed to pull it round and get the crowd laughing with him at his expense. Despite his skill, his performance was a little too turbulent for me.
Shane: Overly aggressive, obviously agitated, self-indulgently crass. He must have either done well in his heat or threatened the judges to get to the Final. He would’ve been palatable if he were funny. Maybe. Probably not.
Jess: At 17 I had enough trouble getting into a can of beans, let alone a state comedy final. At the same age Liam Stapleton puts 17-year-old me to shame with his outstanding performance. He’s devastatingly confident with a wit to match. With a mixture of long-story comedy and proficient impersonation, he was engaging, hilarious and enviable. Additionally, how he moves so fluidly in those tight, tight pants I doubt anyone will ever know. This guy is completely brilliant and can only get better from here.
Shane: This kid is 17 years old and he’s funny, albeit not entirely original (he did a number of celebrity voices that were decent). His interpretation of an art teacher praising a child’s simplistic art was really quite good. Perhaps he’s channelling a little too much Fielding but then again HE’S FUCKING 17!
