Comfest news and reviews

[hails]

stephen k amos - not his best work, unfortunately. i was quite looking forward to seeing him but all he seemed to do was impersonate bogans for an hour. yeah, it's funny for awhile, but you just kinda get a bit tired of every single comedian equating australian with 'fuckin' ay!' -_-

ended up at the hifi last night, despite vowing not to do so rhod gillbert, russell someone or other and charlie pickering all blew me away. we are klang, however...eeps. but hey, if little britain meets songs about force-fucking people is your thing, then you'll love them.

off to see courteney hocking tonight, yay!

[Spawn of Satan]

Hails, gotta try and catch ya while we are both in town.

Shows I've seen and how they rate:

one man Starwars - bloody brilliant, but I am a bit of a nerd, so if you hate starwars I wouldnt recomend it

Re-educating the planet - Quite amusing, was still being polished when I saw it, but I hear it has improved a lot.

Ed Byrne - great show, loved the references to the film falling down, not a great film, but it has great moments

Fiona O'loughlin - as always a shining star of the festival, I did love her reference to ther olympic torch, She achieved every smokers dream. See this show!

Umbilical Brothers - A good show as always, but if you cant comprehend mime stay away, your questions will anoy the other audience members. loved the tap dancing scetch

Jimeoin - I dont see Jimeoin much so it's always great when I do, and yes his musical proformance at the end was hillariously brilliant

Adam Hills - I caught this show in campbeltown last year so didnt enjoy it as much as i could have, but still a great show, and the sunday sign interpreter is definatly reson enough to catch the show twice, if only to see the sign for three balls droping.

Fleetwood Mick - a good show, hard to get tix for when the show name on the tix is fleetlemaina though. They had a little laptop troubles the night I attended, but still a great show. I recommend this show to any smoker who is collecting the warning pictures on the smoke packets, as I am, theres a song in there that will warm your cancer ridden hearts

Daniel Townes - A brilliant show, I went on a monday and it was sold out, brilliant idea to have monday shows, mind you a show that amusing could easily sell out every night, I highly recomend you catch it.

Nik Coppin - I caught this on a monday as well, get there earliy or its standing room only. Nik's shows are great every year, his english sense of humor combined with his fear of australias deadly animals make his show an absolute treat.

Ross Noble - I've always liked ross, his shows are always very amusing and I love that they have intervals, but by the end of the show you just want it to be over, a great show if you are an ardent fan, if not it borders a hostage situation.

Rhod Gilbert - brush up on your ten commandments before seeing this one, cause Rhod's god is an unforgiving one, and if your not into participation I recommend a seat up the back, a good show, but dont take any children to see it.

Jason Byrne - I managed to sit front row and avoid participation for this one. A great show, its nice to watch the internationals melting in victorias warm autumn, Jason is no acception. Big on audience participation, go and see it, and don't eat starbursts whilst siting near the front.

Jastin Hamilton- A brilliant show, its nice that the festival finally recognises Justin's potential as a great comedian. If you do see justin, see all three because it is a trilogy. I strongly recomend you catch this on, especially if your not a local, it gives some insights to decent dinning venues. We are at present trying to convince him to hold a three hour show at the end of festival so that we can see the trilogy as one.

Scared Wierd Little Guys - Not a bad show, a one off show before they hit the suburbs. If you havent seen then rent yourself a combie van and follow them in their exploits, the material is mostly old stuff, but still very amusing.

Geraldine Quinn - A beautiful show entitled sex death and bowie, a must for David Bowie fans, and some great tunes abouiit other things, this show comes with a free alcoholic beverage which you may drink on the roof after the show, do this, it's a beautiful view and a good show.


Much more quick reviews to come in the next week or so.

[JD3000]

Originally Posted by awaywithfairies

Are the Scardies doing Superband this year? I don't remember seeing it in the programme...

I've heard that there will be a superband of sorts on the final Friday of the Festival Club.
It won't feature The Scardies, but the night is being put together by Janet A McLeod, so it promises to be quite special



One notible highlight for me has been "The Honourable Men of Art (Without Alun Cochrane)" featuring Daniel Kitson, David O'Doherty and Andy Zaltzman. It's on Wed, Thurs and Sun at 12:15 (Sun at 11:15, with Daniel rushing down directly after his show at The Ath) at Trades Hall.
It features 2 hours of banter and general mucking around, just like being in one of the guy's loungeroom. David sang a song, Andy posed as an oracle to answer audience questions and the entire room formed a team to play Boggle on line. It was the perfect show for insomniacs!

[hails]

Originally Posted by Spawn of Satan

Hails, gotta try and catch ya while we are both in town.

send me an sms sometime, particularly if you're at trades one evening oh wait, do you even have my mobile number? errrr...ask someone for it, there's plenty of folks around that have it

also HAGGIS, if you get to see this, call me sometime about where to meet for keating

[Gutter Monkey]

My 2 highest recommendations:

- Lawrence Mooney. The first show this year to actually get me excited that the comedy festival is on. I can't rate this show high enough and I've been telling everyone to go see it. Some people have told me that they haven't been a fan of Lozza's previous work but I'm confident this show will turn them around. This is the only show I'd be prepared to flyer for and that's saying a hell of a lot becuase i HATE HATE HATE flyering.

- Josie Long. Hilarious and sweet and gorgeous, perhaps a little like a female Andrew McClelland.

[boofa]

i thought i heard it somewhere, but I can't find confirmation that Kitson is doing a graveyard on RRR again, and if so when.

Can anyone confirm or deny?

(and if I've already missed it.. well .. shit)

Also on recommendations, Russell Howard really impressed me last night as MC at the Festival Club, found his ad-lib as strong as his material that seemed prepared, and really carried the night -- I heard quite a few punters on the way out asking door staff his name, so I think tix for his show might sell quite well this week.

[Sydneyguy]

Tom gleeson was the best show i saw, he was the only comedian to bring me to tears of laughter. He had stories of his trip to iraq for the aussie soldiers and the story about this camping experience was what brought me to tears. The story could of been said by anyone but Tom says it in a manner which is just perfect. A MUST SEE

Stephen k amos, my fav comedian, picked me on!! But only once!! He was a slight disappointment, i agree with HAILS but still funny none the less. I guess my expectations are VERY HIGH for him, hey i bought his cd after all!! Another MUST SEE, he interacts with the audience so people at the front, people from the uk and youngsters, beware!!

One man star wars was ok, i enjoy star wars but not a big GEEK about it, so i didnt enjoy it was much as my friends but others in the audience absolutely loved it!! Listen to his r2d2 impersonation, its spot on!!

Ed byrne, was disappointed, i was expecting more but he didnt deliver for me, but others around me LOVED IT, is it his accent that i did not understand? not sure...........

DAvid o doughty, it doesnt help im not much of a musically comedy kind of guy, so this did nothing for me!! The audience thought he was a musically GOD!! There was a few people standing because it was so packed!! Though i havent seen them in the comedy festival, HOORAY FOR EVERYTHING is the best musical comedy group i have seen, and if i thought DAvid o doughty wasnt good............

D cuppetry is the woman's answer to what puppetry of the penis to men. BUt puppetry of the penis was more funny for myself, but i am a MAN after all!! The woman LOVED IT, there are some songs, some skits and some boob puppetry!! I didnt laugh as much as i thought i would but still its something different to see

EVAn JONES, i cant speak highly enough of his show, though not the funniest show, it is definately one of the most entertaining!! It's interactive,its funny,some magic and u get those bubble wrap things to POP, what else can u ask for!! a MUST SEE

[Sydneyguy]

FAst track dating was ok, its a theatre play which was enjoyable but wasnt as entertaining as i had hoped, but still a interesting theatre play

Men of STEEL, its a show which should be for kids but has some adult content in it and thats where the laughs for me were. The MESS they create is quite amusing and i believe the kids around me enjoyed the show

AARON KEEFFE, are you there? You recognised me from MOSH and can i say this has not influenced on what i have to say.
Firstly its great the comedians at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow are friendly, AARON came up to me for a quick chat,how friendly!!I got the same reception last year. Its a good little venue upstairs.
BUT the service from staff wasn't the best, i must of made my best impression of a chinese statue at the bar or did i turn invisible?
The food was so so (salmon with boiled spaggetti).
BUT enough about the venue, show it self was ok, interactive and brang a few laughs. A interesting topic, of contacting your ex's and asking WHAT did i do wrong in the relationship. ITs AARON's LAST comedy festival show (or will u be back in 3 months AARON???) so go wish this nice guy a farewell for a guy thats endured 7 comedy festivals!!

JEFF GREEN, unfortunately is not as well known as he should be!! He's british humour is excellent, his stories he told i cant help but tell other friends about,
A MUST SEE, you will definately laugh

ANDREA POWELL, i believe her show maybe more suited to the older audience but it felt more like a theatre play than stand up show. ALso known as the character of ETHAL CHOP. As a theatre show it was entertaining, but didnt bring myself many laughs

BEST OF EDINBURGH, ASher treleavan has great dance moves, but the 3 coemdians before the main act (Eddie IFFT) was nowhere near the level of Eddie IFFt. Though i have heard Eddie Ifft's material before, it still made me laugh. He stretches boundaries on various topics but he was definately the highlight of this show. The show goes a little overtime but thats ok with me!!

Corrine grant, ive seen in sydney, if you want a chance to win some of her stuff thats she's giving away, read up on your trivia!! Entertaining, she has a great personality but didnt bring that many laughs for me

JAckie LOEb, if you know nothing about her, GO watch this show!!
It will make you laugh, ive seen her shows in the past and wasnt entertained but this new material is really good. You'll love her songs a MUSt SEE,she has come a long way as a comedian

JOSIE LONG, everyone loves her...........but me. My neck did hurt from sitting at the front, and its great that she has free badges, a mini magazine thats free. i loved her enthuisiam (did i spell that right??) and there was a few laughs, the show reminded me a little of Sam simmons, but not as hectic as Sam. But not for me, i think i am a minority!!
Josie, YOUR NOT FAT girl, the pictures of you on posters dont do you justice!!
some posters made Josie look like face was distorted or something

Tammy Anderson's Itchy CLacker, great title, but her stories were entertaining but not that funny to me. Maybe older people could relate a little more, but i doubt it with Tammy's strange arrangement of family

WELL thats all i could squeeze in in 4 nights, the rest of you ENJOY

[Mythor]

Mythor's book report on The Comedy Festival Gala, by Mythor!

Mr Voiceover Man: Talked like a total wanker idiothead loser AGAIN this year. SHUT THE FUCK UP WITH YOUR SNL IMPRESSION. It's shit on SNL and your rendering of it sucks even harder. Idiot.

Tim Minchin: Needs to be loaned a hairbrush. Or a set of clippers. Something.
Oh, wow, how edgy, he said Mohammed! And why does he sing with an American accent?
I assume the "Playstation 3" ("Happy Little African"?) song is one of his normal songs and he just adapted it for the intro of the Gala?
Not off to a good start...

Peter Helliar is the MC... Meh, he'll do. Can see him do this stuff on Rove every week now.
Fairly amusing opening bit about Thorpie not being too manly. Harhar.

Adam Hills: Pretty funny. Fairly laidback presentation of "angry" material. Interesting approach. Good range of jokes and they were well delivered.

David O'Doherty: Can't sing, which I gather is the point. Can't play the piano thing, so why does he have it? Well, because his joke sucks. And he only has the one... And the first time he did the joke was 7 months ago. And that's still all he's got...

Shappi Khorsandi: Uses some old jokes (not her old jokes, just old ones) but with some good twists on them. Iranian she is, apparently. Fairly amusing. Made a good WMD joke I hadn't heard before so that was a bonus.

Dave Hughes: Mostly stuff I hadn't heard and pretty amusing. His usual standup performance, not his "I'M ANGRY" stuff he's been doing on Rove lately.

Russell Howard: Did the Queen postage stamp joke... which he did on Rove the other night too, oops! Was sort of vaguely amusing till he dropped a really great joke out of nowhere really. Pretty good.

Fiona O'Loughlin: Jokes about her kids and being a Mum again, of course. Will she ever run out of material with her little terrors? Pretty funny as usual though so hopefully not!

Ardal O'Hanlon: Pretty funny, good range of material. Well spoken and the accent is fairly mild so he's not incomprehensible...

Keating!: Political Rap? Considering it's about Keating, why is the better rapper playing Hewson? Not that either of them are much chop. The lyrics are somewhat clever but it's not really funny as such.

Jason Byrne: Doing a magic trick? Badly? That's the gag? Very poor and unfunny, which is strange because he has material that's not bad...

Jim Henson Puppet Company: Doing some puppet-y improv. Giggleworthy. Still amazed that the official Muppets people are doing this instead of offshoots like Avenue Q. Some borderline filthy stuff, I gather the proper show has more.

Ed Byrne: Very funny man. Very accurate observations on how annoying women are.

Stephen K Amos: Missed an obvious joke when one of his gags didn't go down too brilliantly. (A joke about the people on the Titanic being in the water and finding out their lifejackets were actually parachutes, which the crowd sort of laughed a little and made the notsoimpressed noise a little... should've followed with, "Too soon?") Was otherwise somewhat amusing, nothing special.

Mark Watson: Started out a bit slow but built up very nicely and was overall really quite funny.

Phil Nichol: Musical number. Would do better as a pure musical act. He might earn a dollar or two on the street as a busker if someone was feeling really generous. An audience member's reaction during the song sums it up best, "What the fuck?!"

Jeff Green: Mildly amusing but nothing special.

Corinne Grant: Talks about boobies and thus wins! Was actually pretty funny, which is unusual for girly material.

Tripod: Yon taking lead vocals? Ooh. Political song that actually manages to be funny as well. Very funny, quite mellow, but funny.

Tom Gleeson: Pretty funny stuff about his time in Iraq and Afghanistan entertaining the troops.

Fleetwood Mick: (Greg Fleet and Mick Moriarty) Not much chop, did have one funny bit but it was mostly just a lame song. Something Mick's had a lot of practice at, I suppose.

Wil Anderson: Oh look, Lleyton Hewitt jokes! A decent one, but he's done a million of them... Then he went for the joke about women in the army and their periods... but went for a joke I hadn't heard, to my surprise. And then did the usual joke as well that a million people have done before, including himself, on TV. Sigh. Some fairly funny other jokes too but using that women in the army joke really killed the routine.

Tim Minchin and Peter Helliar do the closing musical number. "Fuck The Poor"? On a show fundraising for OxFam? Classy.
... and that was it? Glitter cannons went off after the very reserved song. What happened to the big closing number? Lame.
Oh and we got yet another Big Brother promo during the credits, like there wasn't 74 billion other ones aired tonight...

Fairly weak Gala over all. Disappointing.

[sara]

My absolute favourite show was Ali McGregor's late night variety show. Since the line up varies every week it may not be as brillinat as the night I went, but this was perhaps the most entertaining show I've seen at any comfest.

If you're looking for something a little different to straight stand up The Glass Boat is excellent. There are moments that are hilariously funny but there's also a lot of absurd parts that whilst aren't laugh out loud funny are brilliant.

I also really enjoyed Josie Long. She right when she calls herself amateurish, but she's also right when she says that she thinks it makes her better. The fact that she's not entirely slick makes her lovable.

My other favourites were Sam Bowring, Jason Byrne, Josh Thomas and Daniel Moore.

I hate being negative, but Andy Zaltzman did absolutely nothing for me. I felt like leaving after five minutes.

[sharleen]

It WAS a weak gala. Which is odd considering that when I was flyering the Gala audience as they were coming out of the theatre everyone said it was one of the best ever.

I'm curious as to why some of those acts stayed in the broadcast as long as they did whilst others were cut out completely. Yes, obviously due to lack of time. But I had at least 5 people tell me on the night that the best act there was Justin Hamilton, yet he was edited out entirely from the tv screening?!?!?! We Are Klang didn't make the cut either (I assume it was the nudity on the night, but then, Spy Monkey aired on the Gala last year?), nor Akmal, Meshel Laurie and Lawrence Mooney.

I'd like to see the edited acts at least placed on the festival website as video downloads so we could see what we missed out on.

So very disappointed.

[unfrufru]

Originally Posted by Sydneyguy

JEFF GREEN, unfortunately is not as well known as he should be!! He's british humour is excellent, his stories he told i cant help but tell other friends about,
A MUST SEE, you will definately laugh

jeff's been doing comfest for at least 10 years. its just that he does the same relationship type material every time so doesn't draw the big crowds like he used to

[JD3000]

Originally Posted by Mythor

Tim Minchin and Peter Helliar do the closing musical number. "Fuck The Poor"? On a show fundraising for OxFam? Classy.

At The Pinch outside broadcast last night, Tim mentioned that he was wondering if that sang would make the cut (what would OxFam say?), but being such a big production number they could hardly put something else in!

[junglegirl_1976]

Did anyone go to the debate on Sunday? I've seen photos and it seems to show Paul singing (by the looks of the photos, he seems to be singing that Britney Spears song he did on GNWNL). How was Jason Byrne and Stephen K Amos? They were quite funny last year, even Jason had me laughing with his mini quiz. (What are the odds of getting 2 'Where's Wally' look-a-likes!!) Did Paul go for 25 minutes like last year? Will Channel 10 show it all if he did?

I also agree with last nights gala. It was somewhat disappointing. Some parts were funny, but overall, it's been funnier in the past. I know there is the dvd of the past few Gala's (2002 - 2006), but what about gala's before that? I thought it would be a great fundraiser for Oxfam, not to mention it would be great to see past comediens, Lenny Henry, Flacco etc. It was the 21st Anniversary this year and that could have been a good promo too!!

[sara]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

Did anyone go to the debate on Sunday? I've seen photos and it seems to show Paul singing (by the looks of the photos, he seems to be singing that Britney Spears song he did on GNWNL).

I heard the rehearsals on Sunday morning/afternoon (those times get confused around comfest) and he was singing Cock on Legs. I assume that would have been what he sang in the debate.