Review – Rich Hall (USA)

After watching Rich Hall discuss how ridiculous trying to describe senses of humour as ‘dry’ is, I’m trying desperately to avoid describing him like that, because it really is my instinctive reaction to his style.

An observer of the absurdities of life, Hall has a great knack for starting a joke somewhere not inherently funny that could easily kill the mood of the audience. But, continually throughout his show, he flipped subjects like gun control, bear attacks and Vegemite around with brilliantly incisive punch lines.

Previous to this, I’d only been exposed to Hall’s stand up work without the musical component, so I had no idea he was such an excellent improvisational musician. Taking up the guitar while engaging members of the audience’s front row, Hall flawlessly created songs on the fly about people’s employment (or lack thereof), love life (or lack, once again), and only started tripping up when he asked for names of towns and the audience started messing with him.

I should point out that the night I saw him, the audience was actually a bit coy and evasive. Probably the best idea when seated front row at a comedy gig, sure, but it really showed how adaptable Hall is as he was still able to bring out the funny side of what little he was given to work with.

Rich Hall is performing at the RMIT Capitol Theatre every night until April 7th, except Easter Monday when he plays the Town Hall.