All posts tagged: melbourne comedy

Miles Milson & David Boyle: Banned for Life – MICF Review

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You either love stand up comedy or you don’t. It’s that harshly critiqued genre where the person on stage goes home with either the roars of audience laughter in their ears… or the sound of tumble weeds, crickets and broken dreams…. No pressure. These guys were funny. Genuinely funny. But you literally couldn’t find two more different blokes, and I think that was what worked so well.  First to take the stage was David (Private) Boyle. Full of traditional Australian humor, the crowd were really into his act and laughed the whole way through. David is high energy and enthusiasm with the usual twisted perception on real life which people go to stand up nights to hear.  And then came Miles Milson. A completely different kettle of fish. He had the kind of chilled, ‘off-on-a-tangent’ humor you and your best mate would laugh your heads off at 2am after a big night. Real dark, random humor. Which after all, is the best kind. A fun way to finish the show, I’ll definitely never look at …

Hayward & Hadid: This is an Excuse – MICF Review

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Poking fun at ‘bros before hoes’ culture, and unfairly branded ‘crazy girls,’ This is an Excuse is live sketch comedy for the ladies who’ve been there, and done that. Pretty much any woman you know has a bad relationship story, these witty women take that next level, turn it on it’s head, polish it up and make you laugh in it’s face. From the differing views of Cupid and Psyche, to the fiery condemnations of the Devils Advocate, we found it fast paced and enthralling throughout. The show was a super fun girl’s night out with sharp and intelligent humor, relatable jokes and a relaxed vibe – the packed out audience loved it. We roared with laughter throughout, especially when hit with those ‘oh my gosh, that has totally happened to me’ bits. Hayward and Hadid: This is an Excuse runs as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until 17 April. Get along and see it in it’s final days and support our local talent. P.S  – These guys post daily ticket offers on their Facebook page, …

Damian Callinan Swing Man – MICF Review

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Damian Callinan has been diagnosed with OTTDS – OverThe Top Dancing Syndrome. His show kicks off with an alien abduction sequence during which he displays with ease his fantastic 80’s dancing prowess (stick with us here) but, whilst proficient in almost every other style of dance – the style of dance that alludes him, and that which will ultimately save him from his somewhat friendly alien abductors is Swing. As they say in the show, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t Swing. From there Damian takes us through the hilarious fabrics of time itself, through his teenage years with lots of ‘growing up in suburban Victoria’ in-jokes which were a hit with everyone in the audience, interval cameos from his improvisational, leaf munching droid – Jean Clauvive, and then ultimately the journey of learning how to Swing. From Swing Dancing for Morons, to eventually getting his own personal Swing Dancing instructor, the audience is with him the entire way. Does he eventually master the art of Swing? You’ll have to go along and find out. A man of many talents, this show was …

Simon & Perri Go Large – MICF Review

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They’ve got the best hair and beard combo in the comedy business; and a spectacular Rocky-esque opener; Simon Cumming and Perri Cassie are pulling out all the stops for their split show at this year’s Comedy Fest. Cumming’s personality seems sort of reminiscent of Buddy the Elf; he works in a chocolate factory, skips through fields, and counsels cats. His set doesn’t discuss a particular topic throughout, but his silliness about life in general is such a pleasure to watch. Although he doesn’t need to tell the audience which bits he’s made up; it’s like a magician revealing their secrets. Plus some reviewers will believe anything if you let them. Cumming has a very distinct laugh, and is able to create a real rapport with the audience. His stories flit around but the show never feels scripted, it’s just ideas that pop into his head and that works perfectly for him. If you too appreciate the excitement when you have enough money to buy berries, then you’re going to want to be “Poppin punnits in …

3 States of Comedy: Reinstated – MICF Review

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It’s the way fights were meant to be settled: head to head… to head comedy bouts. Danny Stinson, Geoff Setty and Becky Steepe battle it out to have their state crowned as Australia’s funniest. First up, representing everyone’s favourite state, Victoria (not that we’re biased in Melbourne), is Danny Stinson. Straight out of the ring and Stinson is throwing punches. There’s sealife in strange places, disorientated drunks and spiders who are watching their weight. You expect that the rest of the show is going to continue in a similar vein; but this is where the state bashing ends. One liner Geoff Setty has the best rapport with the room. He has great timing, and seems to have a joke about every subject imaginable, but there is a flow missing to his work. Going from Star Wars sex jokes to Happy Days to “Hitler Instagram” is just a little too much of a leap. You can still tell a story with one liners, and you can lose your audience if you move around too much. Going …

Paul Culliver: The Honeypot – MICF Review

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“A straight, white male doing a comedy show, that’s novel”(!) Paul Culliver might be a middle-class man, but don’t worry you haven’t walked into some terrifying Men’s Rights Activism lecture masquerading as a comedy show. Culliver is super aware of his privilege; in fact he’s even invented a scale to determine just how privileged he is. (It’s 17 doors by the way). With his cheeky, chappy nature he can talk about race, feminism and politics, and the combination works. Culliver seems to have an endless supply of intelligent, quipping lines. The show never feels scripted; just one hilarious stream of consciousness, making his ability to be so quick witted all the more impressive. He doesn’t get it quite right all the time; you can feel bits of the room tense up during certain sections of his stand-up. But in fairness he does go back and correct himself when he can feel this happening, Culliver says he “really doesn’t want to be a shit head in this show”, and he definitely doesn’t come off like that. …

Willem Richards is Bringing out the Cheeseboard – MICF Review

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Once you’ve seen a full grown man dance in a Kylie Minogue outfit, you’re going to find it hard to be surprised by a show again. At Willem Richards’ last show at this year’s Comedy Fest, he truly was “Crushing life in the dick”. Richards plays a whole host of outrageous characters as he tells us about his relationship with his Dad/ Tennis Coach. A man who has the personality and expressions of a Muppet, as Richards’ hair and mouth flap up and down with an incredible amount of elasticity. As well as his intense passion for his son’s tennis career, the best thing about Richards senior is that he brings out the cheeseboard. There’s brie, there’s cheddar, there’s a multitude of crackers to be passed round. So when the gentleman at the end of my row puts the cheeseboard down you can feel the whole room staring daggers at him. Luckily this is rectified by Richards before an angry mob forms. Another sparkling character is Spanish Ken Doll, Miguel Barcelona. Although he is heartbroken …

#1 Ninja – MICF Review

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Pitched as an affordable, unlicensed 55-minute seminar, channeling the likes of Tony Robbins, #1 Ninja is an hour of super-funny sketch comedy running as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Starring Andy Balloch, Dan Pavatich and Ivy Latimer – a good-looking trio of fantastic chemistry, the show kicks off with the ‘seminar’s’ promotional video, passionate testimonials from the #1 Ninja’s success stories – and then the real performance begins as we’re taken through a bunch of revolving characters, sketches and alternate perceptions – poking fun at the absurd way that society treat those of different sexuality, gender…. and ninjas. Basically, a glorious, cheeky middle finger to small-mindedness. Without giving all of the good stuff away, if you like the sound of aliens with bizarre attractions to non-functioning bubble jet printers and awkward love stories from the Titanic, you should definitely get along and see this show, #1 Ninja is sketch comedy at it’s most fun. Bring your mates and support local talent. Rating: ★★★★ #1 Ninja runs up until 17 April, as part of …

Be a Man – MICF Review

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We Know Melbourne were invited along to see comedian James Rankin share with us, exactly what it takes to ‘Be a Man’ at his aptly named Melbourne International Comedy Festival show. During his hour-long one-man show, we were regaled with entertaining tales of his youth (including a wildly inappropriate but hilarious story about teddy bears), interesting insights into growing up with Jehovah’s Witness parents, school stories, girls stories and a bunch of other recollections and life observations which helped shape him, as the man he is today. Unlike some comedians who rely very heavily on dark humour, James’s content was light and easy to follow. The audience were kept laughing constantly, particularly when met with relatable experiences (which was often) and you could tell everyone was having a blast – hanging on his every word. We could literally just sit back and enjoy the show for an hour without fear of audience participation (perfect for the introverts in the crowd), and walk away with a spring in our step. A light, entertaining and fun show, for boys and girls alike. Be …