Hi guys, sorry to take so long in updating my show listing for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2012, we spent most of our time working on the Hungry for laughs benefit gig, but now I can start talking about the amazing shows I have seen so far this festival.
These are the shows I have seen so far (in no order):
Tegan Higginbotham in Million Dollar Tegan (twice)
Dungenon Crawl (twice)
Bob Franklin & Steven Gates- Stubborn Monkey Disorder
Gavin Baskerville- Hanging in there
Watson – Shakespeare Fight Club (twice)
Laura Davis- Notes from birds
Celia Pacquola- Delayed (twice)
Kate McLennan- Homeward bound
The Squinge- Degrassi High
Matt Parker & Timandra Harkness- Your days are numbered: the Maths of Death
Justin Hamilton- The Goodbye Guy
The Shelf (twice)
Alison Bice & Jason Marion- Former Child Star
Felicity Ward- The Hedgehog Dilemma
Dead cat bounce- Howl of the She-leopard
Mike Wilmot
Glen Wool- No lands man
Anyone for Tennis- Comedy. Music. Etc
Spandex Ballet
Hungry for laughs (our benefit gig for PWSA)
Sarah D- I can drink puddles
Michael Chamberlin- Joy & Despair
Claudia O’Doherty- The Telescope
Now it’s going to take about a month to write about all these shows so I will touch on my highlights briefly. This year I haven’t seen a show I would be happy seeing again, so my Top 5 for the festival will probably have 10 shows in it.
Top 5 (not including Hungry for laughs, as our show not fair to include it, but it was AWESOME)
In no order
Celia Pacquola, (Delayed) strongest stand-up I’ve seen Celia do and some of the funniest I’ve seen in years. That’s 3 awesome shows in as many years; no wonder every show sold out. Extra show have just been announced, look out for them.
Tegan Higginbotham, (Million Dollar Tegan) One of Melbourne’s funniest comedians, been doing awesome shows with The Hounds, then Watson for years now, this is her 1st solo show, and it rocks. Sold out for the rest of this festival, maybe we can convince her to do extra shows.
Watson, (Shakespeare Fight Club) Must see show of the festival, every time I see them my sides are sore from laughing (not joking). I want them to have their own TV program so I don’t have to wait until next year’s festival to see them again. (Ed’s note: This was nominated for a Golden Gibbo Award)
Justin Hamilton, (The Goodbye Guy) Justin always does heartfelt, emotional shows with great stories and this is no different. Last chance to see him in the comedy festivals for a few years as he is taking a break for other adventures.
Michael Chamberlin, (Joy & Despair) Michael has written comedy for a number of years and I have always like his shows, but this one shows he is also a great performer not just a great writer.
Top 2 weirdest (awesomely great)
Claudia O’Doherty, (The Telescope) taking comedy out of the box and putting it, well only God knows where. I enjoyed Claudia’s last few shows in the MICF but this one had even me confused. Just let yourself go with the unusualness and you will find yourself laughing, which is what a show is supposed to do.
Bob Franklin & Steven Gates, (Stubborn Monkey Disorder) this show had my vote for weird/unusual until Claudia took it away. I really enjoyed this show, the twists and turns, both trying to make the other laugh or break character. Another show I will be seeing again.
Still have 9 shows on my short list and about 15 more on my try and see list, so it looks like a few more nights at the festival still to go.
If you want to know about any of the shows I have seen or have your own review of a show please email us, I’ll get my people (me) to talk to your people.
Steve Ella
Written by rdunbar
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