By Jess Welch
If you’ve never heard of Chris Parker, I implore you to fix this oversight as soon as you can. A multi-award winning comedy star in New Zealand/Aotearoa, he is a non-stop whirlwind with tales of both the bizarre and the relatable. ‘High energy’ doesn’t do him justice. It’s exhausting, but so much fun to watch. From the moment he leaps onto the stage, the audience is in for a wild ride and it is worth every single second
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Equal parts ‘every-millennial-at-a-crossroads’ and ‘this-could-only-happen-to-him’, the laughs come thick and fast and without feeling shoehorned into a theme. His hopes and worries are painfully familiar for the largely millennial audience, but are universal enough that every single person in the room is swept along, laughing to the point of smothering snorts and clutching their stomachs. With only the barest hint of existential dread to keep everything in perspective, it’s ultimately a feel-good hour of fun that will leave you giggling and maybe with a renewed sense of hope for the future.
Parker’s seemingly natural ability to tell stories is, at times, literally breathtaking. He effortlessly paints vivid images that can’t help but leave you gasping. His skydiving story is absurdly brilliant and the perfect way to end the show on a high note. It’s a story you wish you could tell your co-workers the next day, but could never do justice. I recommend bringing all your co-workers and friends along. Trust me, it’ll save time.
The night I went, the vast majority of the crowd were from New Zealand, where Parker has graced the screen on their versions of Taskmaster and Have You Been Paying Attention? amongst many other things. While it’s understandable, hopefully his reach grows far beyond his homeland as the festival continues. From the wild clapping and cheering at the end of the show, I’m surprised it didn’t shake the whole Westin hotel and cause noise complaints from the occupants.
There’s no doubt Parker has what it takes to be the next big name here in Australia too. And judging by the packed room on night two, if looks like if you don’t book soon, you might miss your chance.
CHRIS PARKER – LOTS OF LOVE is on at THE WESTIN ONE. https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2023/shows/lots-of-love