Melbourne International Comedy Festival - various shows part 2

I saw Judith Lucy's show on Monday night, my favourite of the Festival. I have a soft spot for Judith, she's probably my favourite Australian comedian, but truly this show is gold. The laughs just come at you constantly and she somehow even turned a punch line ruined by a dud microphone into something hilarious. Warning, lots of audience participation for folks in the front row. One of my cousins I went with enjoyed it but wasn't quite as convinced as me because she 'doesn't like sexual comedy'. Judith's not afraid of working blue, certainly a fair but of that but all very funny.

Last night, in what I think will be my last night attending the Festival, was an interesting one. Saw Kate McLennan who was given a 4.5 star review in the Herald Sun (like Judith Lucy) and Geraldine Hickey who was given 3 by the same publication (different reviewer, a favourite of mine). Kate was up first in front of an audience of about 25. Intimate, you might say, especially on tight-ar5e Tuesday. I enjoyed the show, the story, the journey she took us on yada yada, but to be frank I didn’t actually laugh out loud that much. I trotted off to Geraldine next mainly because the time and location suited after Kate’s show. I had no expectations or interest beyond having heard her a few times on a favourite old radio show (Get This on Triple M, 2007-2009 approx). Her room was even smaller than Kate’s and had about 20 in the audience. Despite some of the material being a bit, umm, graphic, I really did laugh out loud quite a lot, as did most of the crowd. Her style is very droll which I guess does appeal to me personally but the whole room did seem to be cacking themselves a lot, certainly a lot more than in Kate’s show.

The juxtaposition of the two shows reminded me that a) comedy is so very subjective and b) expectations or lack thereof can be a huge factor.

I’m totes insightful, right?

The Festival finishes this Sunday. For (insert name of figure you worship)’s sake, go see something. http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2012/season/

Melbourne International Comedy Festival - various shows

I've seen a bunch of shows at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the last few weeks. Thought I'd give you a bunch of quick reviews while the Festival still has a week to go. Get out and see something!

JUSTIN HAMILTON (Aus) - Great show by an Australian comedian who's been on the scene a long time. Very clever, works on a few levels, meaning if you've seen him before you might get a bit of extra bang for your buck but first-timers will enjoy just as much. Nice story-telling (even shed a tear or two at one point) combined with great laughs. He's said it's the last Festival show he'll do for the forseeable future, so get along while you can.

TOMMY DASSALO (Aus) - A young Aussie comedian, I think this is his first MICF show. Like Justin, he's a good story teller with lots of laughs and a few tears. The show is about his battle with cancer as a child, surprisingly funny stuff! Tickets are cheap because he's relatively unknown, easily worth the money.

ANNE EDMONDS (Aus) - A good show with a musical bent but not a stand out to be honest. Enjoyed it but have seen other shows that gave more laughs.

FELICITY WARD (Aus) - Definitely one of my favourites, excellent bang-for-buck when it comes to laughs. Go see her!

TOM BALLARD (Aus) - Saw him this year because I found his show hilarious last year. This year was not up to that standard & some of the material was really pretty gross. At the end of the show he was recommending another show to see and said something along the lines of "it's hilarious, like the last 10 minutes of this show"... an admission he hadn't nailed it, I think.

DAVID O'DOHERTY (Ireland) - I've seen David perform at MICF for I think 4 or 5 years in a row now. He's a reliable favourite and didn't let me down this year. His annual 'My beefs...' song is just hilarious.

MARK WATSON (England) - Have enjoyed his work in a few podcasts I've come across but the show was a let down. Definitely not worth $38 for mine.

NATH VALVO (Aus) - Was one of my favourites of the Festival last year, laughed constantly through his show and hoped for the same this year. Not quite as good the second time round but still really funny. (Friends who were there for the second time said they enjoyed it more than last year so, horses for courses.) Does an uncanny Judith Lucy impression which was gold. Beware of seats in the front row and aisle - audience participation is rife and he can be a real bitch!

SAM SIMMONS (Aus) - Went with trepidation to be honest (taking my nephew for his birthday - Sam was his choice) but found it really funny. Not everyone's cup of tea, his style is really pretty odd but if you like a bit of slightly physical, definitely absurd comedy, give him a shot. And bonus points for being totally lovely to my nephew when he came out after the show to say hi.

Got myself booked for Judith Lucy tomorrow night, first stand-up show she's done in a few years. Can't wait, she's one of my all time favourites. Fingers crossed she doesn't let me down. 'Cause it's about me, right?