I’m reviewing all the Melbourne International Comedy Festival shows that I’ve seen at my own blog, to avoid turning LP into all comedy reviews, all the time.
But the short version: the best show I’ve seen so far is Bill Hicks: Slight Return. Hicks, for those of you not aware, was a political, edgy, crude, and sometimes brilliant American standup comic who died from pancreatic cancer at age 32 in 1994. Like, say, Joy Division, he probably has more fans now than he ever had when alive. In this show, actor/comedian Chas Early portrays Hicks’ return to Earth for one last show. Early is unnervingly accurate in his characterisation of Hicks (my girlfriend, a Hicks devotee, agreed); it’s quite easy to suspend disbelief for a while. The material is all-new but utterly characteristic of Hicks, passionate, angry, pointed and, importantly, bloody funny. See it before it sells out.
Anybody else got some recommendations for the festival? Any friends doing shows?
Thanks for that, Robert. I’ve got tickets for this show.
As for shows, Erin Davidson from The Groggy Squirrel website has organised Unspeakable 2008.
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2008/show/23/
It features the wonderful Sammy J, among others. Sammy’s show last year was very very funny. And he’s cute.
I haven’t seen Mat Kenneally’s comedy festival show this year but I have seen his other shows and he does great political comedy and won best comedy at the Melbourne Fringe Festival.
I’d love to go and see him but unfortunately am in the UK at the moment. Highly recommend him to people in Melbourne, though. I think the show is called “Mat Kenneally’s ill-though through plan for the world” or something like that!
cheers
I’m seeing Hicks tonight. I’m a bit scared, because I’m a huge fan, but the reviews are all glowing. Can’t wait.
The only other show I’ve booked for is Daniel Kitson, who turns up each year with over 2 hours of brand new material. He is amazing. If he hasn’t already sold out, buy tickets.
So glad that Chas Early’s show, Bill Hicks – Slight Return, is being well-received in Melbourne. He went down a storm with his last performance at the Adelphi, London.