Jason Byrne @ capitol closing night

Yeah, I'm a big fan and I made closing night of the melbourne comedy festival the second time seeing jason byrne this year. I took my flatmate and one of my besties and they loved it almost as much as I did. Although I had been before this season and therefore knew some of the jokes, the great thing about Jason is his impro. A lot of the show was also new!

His character improvs are hilarious and his impersonations of everyone from his wife to an aussie lifeguard at manly were pretty over the top but amusingly spot on. The only gripe was the fact that the show only went for an hour! I was hoping for more, but I guess I'll just have to go back next year instead!!

Comedy Bonanza @ the palms, crown.

Firstly I must start by saying it is Anzac Day today and I'd like to take a moment to remember all those brave souls who risked it all for our country, especially my Pop. Miss you.

Last night I went to the "comedy bonanza" as part of the melbourne international comedy festival at the palms, crown. The venue was filled nowhere near capacity, but there were enough people for it to feel full enough. The night's MC was Andrew Stanley, a comedian from Ireland who reminded me a little of Jason Byrne. I dont think this was because they are both Irish, but both have a unique charm. Andrew was my second fave of the night (and it was a close call). The standout was Jeremy Hotz: "when you get old things just arent the same, kid." His routine was hilarious and self deprecating - a perfect combination of picking on audience members and himself. His wit and charm was clearly evident. Thankfully he was on last, and this way we went out on a high.

The other two performers on the night, Sugar Sammy and Tony Woods failed to grab the audience completely. Sammy was slightly better in my opinion, although most of his jokes were those ones where you know you shouldnt laugh because its wrong but also slightly funny. Tony just didnt connect, he seemed quite spaced out throughout the whole thing, was wondering if he was completely there or if thats just how he is. A fun night anyway!!

Danny Bhoy @ Athenaeum

So this was my third year seeing Danny Bhoy @ the melbourne comedy festival. Once again he didnt disappoint! We were lucky enough to be seated in the second row, and had a great view of the stage (and danny). He was hilarious!!! He seems like such a nice guy too. Apparently he isnt that popular in Scotland (which I find hard to believe) but he certainly pulls a crowd over here. It is such a great thing to be a part of and I love coming out each year to see some shows. There's not much more that I can say apart from "oh my god, thats literally so bizarre!". Hahaha.

There are still tickets available to some shows so go along and have a night out!!!

Jason Byrne @ capitol theatre

So last night I went down to the capitol theatre to see my first melbourne comedy festival show for 2009 and ended up at a Jason Byrne gig!! So exciting! I went with a friend and we had dinner first at a little cafe where we happened to sit near Tim Minchin (who was out with his family enjoying the atmosphere too). The venue was packed - I hadnt been to the capitol theatre before but it was kinda old and it had personality (which is always a good thing). We were seated in the front row which is a risk with jason byrne as he is very much an impro/crowd participation comedian, but seeings how last year I went on stage with him I knew it wasnt too bad. As expected he had me in hysterics for most of the night. He didnt pick on me this time (but did to the girl sitting right next to me haha).
So get yourself along to a show!!!

Comedy Festival - Act Four

The last hurrah - or as I like to call it 'we saved the best for last'.

Tonight was Jason Byrne. To my delight and in a moment of terror I discovered that my row E tickets "upstairs" at the forum actually meant I was seated in the front row of a seperate upstairs venue. Front row centre - to be exact. And my god was it worth it. This guy is absolutely hilarious. Almost everything he says is funny - and I think even more so tonight because he was suffering from sunstroke. Apparently it was messing with his already slightly insane mind.

His ocker accent was pretty spot on. His picking on the irish guys in the second row (especially "essendon guy") was classic. His impersonations were gold. The "human puppet" show was a riot. Watching him try to squish a tall guy into a suitcase and make him say "gappy girthday goo goo" was... well I'm running out of words for hilarious. And no-one does catholic guilt jokes quite like him.

BUT, for the finale the irish dancing was incredible. Picture a guy with a pole on his shoulders and two extra "fake people" on either side of him (the "fake people" were made up of a shirt, pants and shoes hanging off the pole). Then picture Jason doing the same thing beside him. Next you must invite another man from the audience to do the same thing. He only really seems to pick guys out of the audience for these things. And when the men run out in a front row full of ladies who is the fourth participant? That would be me. I jumped up on stage quicker than Jason could say "and someone from around there, come up here!!" We ducked and weaved around each other for a bit to the music. We formed a single line. Then we each got a solo. I did my country proud with some stylin' Riverdance. You should have been there, if only to laugh at me!

I'm really lucky this year to have gone to see four shows. Each has been funny and special in its own way. Each I went to with different people. Company is a big thing with these kind of shows. You share laughs and sometimes tears. You know when something is really funny when you see someone go forward in their chair. I did that a lot. And when they cry you know you have won.



Thats why I choose Jason Byrne as the winner and my pick of the comedy festival this year. My contribution to the show didnt affect my vote at all. Well... not much anyway.

Comedy Festival - Act Three

A giant screen is set in the centre of the stage, showing an eerie moon and ocean scene.

The opening and closing soundtrack is by The Shins.

David O'Doherty is in the audience with a female friend.

Where am I? Obviously at none other than Frank Woodley's show 'Possessed'.

Not content to just rely on his stand up comedy skills, Frank has basically put together a full-comedy-theatre-one-man-show. Emphasis on the theatre. And he plays 3 characters. Unlike the italian fisherman who often turned french, the irish woman was somewhat convincing. Maybe thats why David was in the audience.

The set was pretty incredible. Frank's physical/slapstick comedy was a huge part of the show, as usual. That man can fall down the stairs and off ladders many times like no other. And he can play a mean guitar. But the best bit was when something went wrong and he had to improv. That is when he is at his most hilarious. No script. No lines. Just whatever happens.

Comedy Festival - Act Two

Two down and two to go on my list of four -tonight was David O'Doherty at the hifi bar.

Ever since hearing his "I have very mild super powers" song somewhere in tv land I have wanted to see him live. And I finally did. So why did I walk away feeling slightly disappointed? Maybe because he didnt play my fave song...

But he did play a song about text messaging (his "text emotions" facial expressions were quite brilliant) and another one about the internet. Oh and his rants for 2008 got great applause with the line "23 yr old guys should grow up and stop buying things for their car. Its not a batmobile, its a 2004 barina and blue lights underneath the exhaust will only stop junkies shooting up there."

I just wanted more. More time. More songs. More jokes. It felt somewhat rushed and wasnt even quite an hour. For a comedy show on April Fools Day it was a bit of a let down. It was kinda like when you hear at work they are having cake for a co-worker and you get excited and go upstairs but then you find the person who is cutting the cake is a miser and you only end up with a sliver.

Comedy Festival- Act One

I've been a huge fan of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival since I started attending 3 years ago, and it gets better each time I go. The first year I went I got to see Ross Noble, Danny Bhoy and Lano & Woodley. Next year I only ended up seeing Danny Bhoy again. So this year I was going to make sure I saw a variety of comedians that tickled my fancy. Last night was Ross Noble and we had 2nd row seats. We were right up in all the action and I loved it. He was hot on the topics, discussing Wayne Carey as being "a dickhead" to thunderous applause.

My fave joke wasnt actually a joke but a recollection of a gig Ross had played a few years ago at a small venue. Apparently he used to come on stage to the power rangers theme song and then do some lame ninja kicks (which looked hilarious) and yell "power rangers powerrrr". But on this occasion the guy in the front row bent down to pick something up off the floor and Ross ended up kicking him in the head. For some reason that brought tears to my eyes.... tears of LAUGHTER!

So next is Frank Woodley then David O'doherty and finally Jason Byrne. I'm excited!! Also, kinda off topic here but I have done some research and I know that you people ARE reading this blog - so why not comment once in a while hey!? I do like opinions... and not just my own.