Review – Lawrence Mooney is a Stupid Liar

Lawrence Mooney is a quintessential Australian stand up. Dark, self-deprecating and the host of his own ABC2 show, Mooney has been on the circuit for a long stretch. It’s no surprise that he’s comfortable on stage. The title ties the show together, as Mooney uncovers the ways in which he lies to himself about the stupid things he does. He covers topics often broached by older male Australian comics – weight loss, sex life, in laws, family. These run the risk of being worn out bits, but like most experienced comedians he knows how to balance general insight with personal anecdote. The audience know Mooney and that helps him mould them to his sensibilities. There’s an element of filth to his material, enjoyable gross out humour that suits his boyish character. This veers into vaguely un-PC territory but it swings back around quickly.

Mooney bounces around the small stage, freeing the microphone from its stand. His physicality brings another dimension to his jokes. His control over his movements, while not gymnast like, allows for character shifts that are punch lines in and of themselves. It’s high quality stand up.