Comfest '08 Show Reviews

[junglegirl_1976]

I sent an email to the organisers to find out the line up to the Debate, and they couldn't / wouldn't tell me. The only thing they would tell me is that the Gala will be going on air on Monday 31st March (I'm, guessing in GNW's time slot).

[Alisso]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

I sent an email to the organisers to find out the line up to the Debate, and they couldn't / wouldn't tell me. The only thing they would tell me is that the Gala will be going on air on Monday 31st March (I'm, guessing in GNW's time slot).

Odds are, they don't actually know, because they probably don't have all the debate performers confirmed yet *g* They probably don't know the topic yet, either *G*

[SammySatine]

Well according to this the Gala is airing Monday 31st of March at 8:30pm.

GNW's timeslot

Amities,

SS

[Mythor]

That's what it says in the TV Guide at Yahoo, too.

[Mishka]

I've only seen David O'Doherty thus far, but I felt it necessary to set something straight on his behalf; he apparently got a review which suggested that his show was the kind "you could take your Mother to". He was unimpressed. So unimpressed, in fact, that he put it into his show (and brought it up afterwards as well - "I wish they'd said bring all the coolest people you know")! It was a wonderfully whimsical ride, full of clever humour and a good dose of modesty. He's got a really good presence, and he's always kind about the input from the audience (when he's asking the questions - thus far I've not seen him heckled). If you're looking for a fun night out with the occasional song about sharks, then this is the show for you. Did I mention he's the loveliest man on the planet?

Will be seeing Spicks and Specks on Thursday, Tripod at some point, Ross Noble of course... Mark Watson's 24hr show looks set to be good fun, so might duck into that one too. (Even though my reviews are... well... not really informative in the slightest!)

Hope everyone has a good festival! And for the love of all things fluffy, don't take your Mum to see DOD!

[Stargate Sentinel]

ok, here's some quick reviews of the shows i've seen so far. Nothing crap so far, touch wood lol!

Stephen K Amos Was quite good, i've never seen his full show before. I think sore cheeks from laughing is always a good sign lol! get in quick, only doing 2 weeks.

Des BishopWent along after seeing him do a spot at festival club. Half the audience was Irish, he'd very much like to change those proportions to more aussies. he was fantastic, so get along! but he does pay out religion a fair bit, warning if you're a jesus freak

Greg FleetGood as always, if you saw him MC the festival club sunday night, a fair bit of that material was out of his show. as previously mentioned, not a story telling show, more stand up, but good fleety

Charlie PickeringAnother story type show from Charlie, his usual thing. I liked it.

Justin HamiltonAgain, another story, dark story, as previously mentioned, fight club is a good clue as to content. Not classic stand up, but works quite well.

Reginald D HunterJust go and see! he's awesome, and rather obsessed with arseholes, be warned if you're near the front & admit to not having seen your own, lol!

JimeoinI haven't seen Jimeoin for a few years, and thought it was about time to give him another go. Only a couple of old jokes, which was good. I quite liked his virtual memory map. Good observational comedy.

John MoloneyDidn't have the crowd he deserves, he's really bloody good. Go and fill up the banquet room for him.

And get along to festival club on Friday nights, Jason Byrne & Adam Hills are the MCs, they were so funny last week they could have done without the other acts, lol!

I would also recommend silent disco, if it hadn't already been & gone. very odd but fun.

[class idiot]

A few more quickies

Monty Python's Spamalot - Brilliant! If you're into musical theatre, do go. Been a fan of this for a few years and grabbed the chance to see the show being performed.

Spicks & Specks - If you're a fan of the telly show, you'll love the live Comfest version. Had me cacking. I had comedic guests Gatesy (of Tripod), Rove, Reg D Hunter and Tommy Dean but Reg and Tommy left early as they had their own shows to do (replaced by members of the audience so be warned). A funnier, longer version of Spicks & Specks with the captains and host doing the "Substitute" round for the 'guests'. I'm extremely happy I went.

Tom Gleeson - a filler for my last day at comfest. Good, full crowd but may also be due to there being not much else on during Monday. I found him funny/amusing.

[poloniusmonk]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

The Comedy Gala sounds good. It's been a bit disappointing the last few years (it's had it's moments though). I remember (now I'm showing my age!!) back in the 90's, I used to love pretty much every act that was on. Is it that they can't seem to get the big names anymore?? I remember when Lenny Bruce did the show back in '93/'94 (can't remember exact year??). Can anyone as old as me remember that? A few bars of chocolate anyone?? They were good years!! It's probabaly just me!

Erm... Lenny Bruce died in 1966.

[TimChuma]

Two shows so far.


A Record or an OBE

Andrew McClelland's Guide to Being a Modern Gentleman

The larder and the cellar rooms must be purgatory for the Trades Hall shows, someone will get a very popular show there though.

Fear of a Brown Planet is already a hot ticket show.

[junglegirl_1976]

Originally Posted by poloniusmonk

Erm... Lenny Bruce died in 1966.

Sorry Lenny Henry...my bad!!!!

[junglegirl_1976]

Is anyone going to the Debate?? Can you let us know guests and subject please?? The website still has nothing and they're not talking!

[Alisso]

Originally Posted by junglegirl_1976

Is anyone going to the Debate?? Can you let us know guests and subject please?? The website still has nothing and they're not talking!

I'm going. I'll attempt to post the details if I have enough time between finding out and the show starting *G*

[TimChuma]

Sneak preview of a few of my photos from the "23 Positions in a 1 night stand" gig
Casey Bennetto on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Yes, that is Casey Bennetto not wearing pants...

[Alisso]

Further reviews:

Charlie Pickering - Thirteen Ducks: Unfortunately, I was ridiculously tired when I went to see Charlie's show, so a few of the details have since escaped me, but I did enjoy it. The titular story about a shooting trip in New Zealand pops up here and there through a series of other, shorter stories of Charlie's experiences. Apparently, at one point in Adelaide, the show lost the story about the ducks, making the title a little surreal, but it has been polished and returned to the structure of the show. If you've enjoyed Charlie's stand-up style in the past, you'll enjoy this show. Definitely worth catching.

Nik Coppin - Stuff: I have to admit a little bias here, I know Nik, and he's a great guy *G* He's not terribly well known to Australian audiences, but he deserves more attention over here. He's a very confident performer, with very good material, and he knows more about AFL than I do *G* But then, I'm from NSW. Go see him, the show is fun and entertaining. Just don't get drunk and act like a dick like some of the people in the crowd of the show I was at.

Kristian Reimer - The New Normal: Another show where I must admit to bias - Kristian is also a great guy. His show discusses the way "normal" has changed in the aftermath of 9-11. A timely political topic, and some very good points. Again, worth catching.

Matt Elsbury - Matt vs Stupid: I like Matt Elsbury's rants. I particularly liked this one, because Stupidity is such a big topic to work with. George Dubya, songs vs ringtones, moments of stupidity from smart people, and the brain acting like a cabinet of ministers, and how the minister for sex drive keeps shoving the minister for common sense into the cupboard *G* Extremely funny show, with a sadly small audience. Really, really worth going to see.

Geraldine Quinn - Dumb Things: Another tiny audience for this show...it's sad, because Gerry's fantastic. I love her singing voice, and her sense of humour is terrific. Her lyrics are smart and witty, and extremely funny. And you get free badges! Go see her, she deserves good crowds, and she's a great musical comedian.

Scott Pollard - Suckerpunch: This is another one where I have to admit to bias *G* Scott's attempts to screw over mass media, and his success by strange means make for an extremely funny show. Scott's outlook on life is what you might call lateral - he sees an empty building and sees an opportunity. What he does with plastic army men and dinosaurs shares his view of the world with random other people in passing. You should go and see this show if only to check out his Birdman Rally stuff, and the Box Wars video. Brilliant and a lot of fun *G*

Scrabble Unscripted: Fun improvisational show. When I went, the Scrabble game was played by Gatesy from Tripod, and Rusty from the Scardies. Thanks to them, I learnt words like "Sunbaved" and "pufter", for a New Zealand gay man *g* Fun show if you enjoy impro.

Axed: A bitter, bitter show *G* Various comedians and performers talking about the things that never made it to tv, radio, print or film. You have to wonder how certain people get into the position to say yes or no to these things, when clearly they have no sense of humour whatsoever *G*

Sammy J - Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams: BRILLIANT show. A musical for ADULTS (this is really important), with puppets. Whatever you do, don't take kids. There is filth in this show *G* Sammy J got a Moosehead for this year's show, and he's taken the opportunity and really run with it. The songs are great, there's man on puppet and puppet on puppet action, and the story is a wonderful modern take on the fairy tale journey of discovery. And the songs are really catchy. I defy you to leave the Bosco tent not singing or humming "Fuck Disney" *G*

Glenn Wool - Promises, Promises: I can promise you this, if you don't like filth, you won't like this. I've seen a few short sets from Glenn already this festival, and I've really enjoyed his work. So I was really looking forward to seeing his show, and I wasn't disappointed at all. Extremely funny, extremely dirty, and very, very cheeky. Don't go "ooooh" at the filth or he'll bring out the real foulness *G* A whole lot of fun.


I also have a piece of advice for people visiting the comedy festival. DO NOT book shows too close together. Fifteen minutes between shows is not sufficient. Two people behind us in the queue for Glenn Wool's show got extremely angry because the show was delayed due to technical difficulties, and they had a show fifteen minutes after Glenn's. That wasn't going to work anyway, even if the show hadn't been delayed. Give yourself at LEAST half an hour, and longer if you can. I can't stress that enough. Take distance between venues into account, and remember, if you have a lot of spare time as a result, you can always hang around in the bar. And why wouldn't you want to hang around in the bar? *G*

[TimChuma]

23 Positions in a One Night Stand
A benefit for the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre (ASRC)
with Casey Bennetto, Scott Edgar, The New Earth-Hour Generation, Otto Rot, Renegades of Folk, Sheridan, Jim Lawson, Geraldine Quinn, Anyone for Tennis?, Simon Hall, Andrew McClelland, Xani Kolac, Beau Heartbreaker, Michelle Baginski, Zack Adams, Wes Snelling, Benn Bennett, Kirsty Burn, Penny Ashton, Astrid Rot, Aurora Kurth, Alan Brough, Eddie Perfect, Hooray for Everything, Birdmann, Carl Pannuzzo, Ali McGregor, Adam Hills, Lize Wolgramm
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2008
Trades Hall, Saturday 29th March 2008


First Set:
Let's Go Crazy - Scott Edgar & Casey Bennetto
When You Were Mine - Otto Rot
Cream - Renegades of Folk
How Come U Don't Call - Sheridan
Kiss - Jim Lawson
Sign O' The Times - Geraldine Quinn & Anyone for Tennis?
319 - Simon Hall
Raspberry Beret - Scott Edgar
Sexy MF - Casey Bennetto & Andrew McClelland
1999 - Ben McKenzie

Acoustic Set:
Little Red Corvette - Xani Kolac
Nothing Compares 2U - Beau Heartbreaker
Starfish and Coffee - Michelle Baginski & Zack Adams
Martika's Kitchen - Wes Snelling & Benn Bennett

Second Set:
Love...Thy Will Be Done - Kirsty Burn
U Got the Look - Penny Ashton & Astrid Rot
If I was your Girlfriend - Aurora Kurth & dancer
The Cross - Alan Brough
The Work - Eddie Perfect
I Wanna Be Your Lover - Hooray for Everything
When Doves Cry - Birdmann, Scott Edgar, Simon Hall
Beautiful Ones - Carl Pannuzzo
Seven - Adam Hills
Darling Nikki - Ali McGregor
Alphabet Street - Lize Wolfgramm
Purple Rain - Casey Bennetto & Ensemble

Encores:
Controversy/Get Off

After the great show last year I didn't have to be asked to attend this event, it was one of the first tickets I bought when the comedy festival started. I had already had a busy couple of days with the Re-mains in town, but I wasn't going to miss this.

It was different vibe from last year as more people got up to dance after sitting the first few songs out and I took advantage of this to get right up the front of the stage. Luckily I had a bit to drink so was unfazed by the sight of Casey Bennetto not wearing pants. He had also done the rehearsal without pants and so had been pant less for most of the day. Other amusement was provided by me not recognising Andrew Ogburn on the keyboards as he had an afro wig and sunglasses on.

There were a mix of comedic and serious versions with Andrew McClelland's Sexy MF being a highlight of the first set and Xani Kolac's version of Little Red Corvette with just her violin being wonderful. Most of the songs were great to dance to and there was even a sing along in parts. Aurora Kurth and dancer were great to and they put a lot of work into their routine before the show I heard.

After the show I was lucky enough to get the sheet with the running order off the lighting crew (I ended up losing my notes) and had a chat to Andrew for a while. For a late night bite on Lygon St I recommend Universal Pizza if you are not into Kebabs, try the Alfie pizza.

Photos here:
23 Positions in a One Night Stand