By Elyce Phillips
Could the secret to success be in your stance? Can you limit your chances of having an ugly baby? These are among the many questions you didnât know you had that Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall answers in Success Arms.
Success Arms is a grab-bag of bits. Itâs sort of about getting older and sort of about finding success, but mostly about quick, well-written jokes. Tremblay-Birchall stumbles from one to the next with self-depreciating clumsiness. Stilted bouts of audience interaction bridged the gaps, conversations rarely being more extended than, âWhatâs that youâve got there? A cornetto? Whereâd you get that?â For the most part, Tremblay-Birchallâs delivery style is endearing, though at times it interrupted the flow of the show. It was in longer pieces, such as a cringe-inducingly extended bit about his urethra, where he built up some momentum and really shone.
The material is all quite strong, but âSuccess Armsâ feels more like a particularly good extended set at an open-mic. Tremblay-Birchall keeps things very casual, as though heâs testing out his stuff on a group of mates. It makes for a nice sense of camaraderie sitting in the audience. At the end of the show, with no back exit to the Ladiesâ Lounge, Tremblay-Birchall stands by the door and high-fives everyone as they leave, the sound of slaps filtering into the hall behind you as you exit the Forum.
âSuccess Armsâ is rough in its presentation, but highly enjoyable. Tremblay-Birchall is a talented writer and a personable performer. The show has some great moments and youâll definitely leave with a smile on your face.
Success Arms is on at the Forum Theatre – Ladies’ Lounge until April 20
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/shows/success-arms-alasdair-tremblay-birchall