Review – Titty Bar Ha Ha
It’s hard to compare Titty Bar Ha Ha to any other show at the Festival because, well, there’s nothing like it. It’s a specifically themed musical comedy play with audience interaction – not exactly...
Category: Comedy
Review – Xavier Michelides: Thawed
In a program full of stand-up gigs and variety shows, Xavier Michelides’ Thawed stands out like a (frozen) sore thumb. This show is maybe best described as a one-man science fiction comedy play with...
Review – The Umbilical Brothers: KiDShoW (Not Suitable for Children)
David and Shane ‘the Umbi Brothers’, are arguably one of the best mime acts in the world. If you’ve never witnessed their humour before, I suggest you give them a look. KiDSHoW (not suitable...
Review – Urzila Carlson: The Long Flight to Freedom
Urzila Carlson has been performing for years, with sellout shows at the last couple of festivals – and it’s not really a surprise, to those who know her warm and authentic yet no holds...
Review – Stephen K Amos: What Does the K Stand for?
Coming from a theatre background, primarily in pantomime (don’t knock it ’til you’ve done it), I can appreciate that any performance with an audience participation aspect has an element of irregularity about it. Some...
Review – Rhys Nicholson: Eurgh
Nicholson gets an enthusiastic response to what is “only the first cock joke of the night” and the promise that there would be many more.
Review – Heath Franklin: May I Borrow a Crisis?
Heath Franklin is a maverick. A wonder with words and excellent with expression. The medium sized room of the Trades Hall was just the right size with enough people to garner a large...
Review – Cow-Boy-Zone: Rick Astley: Male Stripper
When attending a show where half the title is ‘Male Stripper’ certain preconceptions naturally follow. “This is a comedy show, right?” “What’s the ratio of stripping to jokes going to be?” “Can I...
Review – Fiona O’Loughlin: My Brilliant Career
It’s often difficult to review a great show for two reasons. Firstly, there usually aren’t any negatives you can point out and criticise. Secondly, you want to tread lightly regarding the subject matter...
Review – Aunty Donna: World’s Greatest Showbag
World’s Greatest Show Bag is the latest offering from Melbourne sketch comedy group Aunty Donna. Aunty Donna’s unique brand of absurdist comedy brings sketch back to the people. There’s no one working in sketch...
Review – Jen Brister: Wishful Thinking
In Jen Brister’s words ‘this is an hour of the beige lesbian shouting at you.’ It’s an accurate summary, though perhaps a little too self-deprecating. The 39-year-old British stand up follows a very...
Review – Pat Burtscher’s Overwhelmed
There’s a theme Pat Burtscher touches on during the latter part of his confused ‘show’ and that theme is professionalism. While the scatter-brained, tangential style of stand-up is common, and deftly performed by...
Review – Alex Williamson: Dumb Things I’ve Done
As I stood with the other patrons waiting for the audience of the previous show to vacate the theatre, I looked over an old cabinet containing the autumn work of Louie MacNeice and...
Review – Greg Fleet: The Games Master
Greg Fleet is a staple of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and for good reason. While commonly appearing in film and television, his live material takes on a different, more considered tone. He cuts...
Review – Jeff Green: All Guns Blazing
Last year, Jeff Green was in a regular sized venue that just kept selling out, so this year, they’ve moved him to the great Forum Theatre. Unfortunately on opening night only about a fifth...
