Midsumma Festival – Squirrel Comedy

Midsumma Comedy Extravaganza

By Lisa Clark

Midsumma Comedy Extravaganza was exactly that, a big extravaganza of gay comedy. Thomas Jaspers has put this together brilliantly with every performer in the right part of the bill doing what they do best and they all chip in to help create a party atmosphere.

The audience are up for it and the performers delivered. Joel Creasey was, of course, a consummate host providing a lot of goss about living on the island and hanging out with Marcia Brady on a reality show. He’ll be dining out on that for many years to come no doubt. His finding-himself-at-an-orgy material also goes down a treat.

First up on the deck is the relaxed and affable Kirsty Webeck, who’s standup I’ve seen only once before and tonight I can appreciate how she’s developed the new comedy ideas she was trying out then, into some pretty solid material that had the audience in fits. It was a beautiful and hilarious set about dealing with other people’s perceptions of you. Her Festival show this year is bound to be a cracker. Kirsty is creating a strong and confident, crowd pleasing stage persona and is definitely one to keep an eye on.

I’ve not seen Bobby Macumber in a few years and realise, I’ve been missing out. She’s developed into a very fine storytelling comedian. Bobby is definitely in her comfort zone here, playing on the home ground and it’s a joy to experience. Families-being-embarrassing stories, but from the gay family member’s perspective and the room was in full empathy with her hilarious experiences.

Rhys Nicholson is a comedian at the top of his game and match ready for the Festival season. This is mostly new material, which I heard him talking about later on Dave O’Neil’s fabulous podcast – The Debrief, but you would never know Rhys hadn’t been doing it for a year. Sharp and sassy as ever, he knew this was a safe space to get laughs from some very adult sex and drugs material and he was right. Definitely the highlight of the evening and often the highlight of any comedy evening, Rhys is on his way to stardom.

Perhaps knowing that Rhys is a hard act to follow, Joel Creasey was back to reset the audience ready for a lesser known comedian Lori Bell who brought an Adelaide perspective to the night. Lori is better known as Granny Flaps and has been performing as Granny for several years, I’ve not seen her perform stand up as herself before and it was right up there with the high standard of the rest . I hope to see a lot more of her.

Finally Dolly Diamond brought the cabaret to the night. Dolly does good old fashioned British cabaret, she feels like a cross between Dick Emery’s Mandy (“Oooh You Are Awful”) and Julian Clary. She does fairly good insulting crowd work, is quick on the witty aside and has the audience join her in a song or two. I saw her die the death at the Festival Club a couple of years ago with material that came across as dated and tired, but here she shines with radiant exuberance, being a total contrast with the rest of the night and gives the audience a big finish with a silly singalong to go home on.

This was a fabulous one off experience at Midsumma, an explosion of joy in the comfortable surrounds of the Fairfax Studio at The Arts Centre that was packed out with happy punters. Hopefully the well named Extravaganza will be back next year with another memorable line up.

Midsumma Comedy Extravaganza was at The Fairfax Studio at The Arts Centre on Jan 24.

Regan Lynch does it in Public

By Peter Newling

The Hares & Hyenas Bookshop on Johnston Street Fitzroy was packed to capacity with people keen to catch Regan Lynch’s final show in the 2018 Midsumma Festival. The number of newbies to this performer’s work seemed to be matched by an impressive following of fans – and rightly so. This was a very good comedy show.

The publicity on the Midsumma website for this show tells me that “Regan Lynch is young, dumb and full of comedy in this pageant of sexed-up idiocy”. Well, two out of three ain’t bad. He’s certainly young and definitely full of comedy – but he’s anything but dumb. This is a politically savvy, insightful routine.

Regan Lynch is a comedic triple threat. He performs, sings and dances in a peculiar blend of stand-up, burlesque, dance, howling electric guitar, ukulele, striptease and audience participation. It’s not for the prudish – he’s very open with his story telling, and overt with his ‘sexed-up idiocy’. He exudes a playful and daring energy – a little like Sammy J in vitality and delivery, but poles apart in content.

This set is based around Lynch’s experiences on an antiretroviral drug called PReP, designed to reduce the likelihood of HIV infection. It follows his journey of sexual awakening and experimentation, and explores the fears that are culturally ingrained into us about gay relationships in modern Australia. Moments of high energy and excellent physical comedy are matched by moments of quiet and contemplation. His song about his relationship with the drug, done as a soft ukulele solo, was sombre – yet a highlight of the show.

His relationship with his audience is great to watch. At times the audience finds itself reeling at the honesty with which Lynch describes his experiences, and at times finds itself in a sing-along to a George Michael standard. The segments of audience participation involve volunteers engaging in activities they would never have thought they would be doing on stage. Like all good burlesque, it’s daring, provocative and explicit – but it’s great fun and no-one has to do anything they don’t want to do.

This show isn’t for everyone. If you’re remotely homophobic, prudish or a Tasmanian Liberal voter, probably best to stay home with a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Regan Lynch does it in Public ran from Jan 23 to 25 at Hares & Hyenas in Fitzroy as part of the Midsumma Festival.

From here it travels to Fringe World in Perth where it will run from Jan 27 to Feb 4 at The Pleasure Garden Visit: FringeWorld for details.

Moonlite by Bitten By Productions

By Lisa Clark

Music by Daniel Nixon, Book by Gabriel Bermoser

Tim Constantine – Captain Moonlite (Andrew George Scott)
James Coley – Thomas Rogan
Daniel Cosgrove- Faulkner McDonald (Station Owner)
Ryan Smedley – James Nesbit
Megan Scolyer-Gray – Gus Wreneckie,
Saxon Gray – Claude McDonald
Katy Nethercote – Helen Mcdonald

A curiosity at Midsumma; a musical play with an Irish folk band, about a lesser known bushranger named Captain Moonlite who may or may not have been a bushranger, may or may not have been guilty of murder and may or may not have been gay. Turns out to be a rollicking good time for all.

Moonlite is set during a siege, Captain Moonlite and his men are holed up in a homestead and the police are closing in. The story swiftly unfolds as the men tell the tales that they know about Moonlite to the homesteaders and the drama plays out in front of us with the truth peeking out and gradually making itself apparent. The many songs that help tell the tale are toe tappers and provide a friendly welcoming atmosphere, playing as we arrive and as we leave.

We are told that the Grace Darling Hotel was chosen as the venue for the play because Captain Moonlite was said to have drunk there and the basement certainly doesn’t feel like it’s changed much in a hundred and twenty years. White painted bluestone walls, a big open fireplace behind the band and a bar behind the audience, where the actors are hanging out in character as we enter. The space sets up a brilliant atmosphere for this period piece on its own and reminds me a little of the Irish pub musical Once, but with a much better tale to tell.

The play reflects the way history changes in interpretation over time and how, when you are dealing with colourful characters who tell a lot of lies, it’s hard to find the truth. Moonlite gradually unravels the well educated man who came from a wealthy family in New Zealand and had the epithet Captain Moonlite the Bushranger attached to him and then somehow became the legend that the media created. Eventually a delicately outlined melancholy love story is discovered adding a moving dimension to a jolly, if at times dark-edged, romp.

The performers are all brilliant actors and singers, some playing several roles and the audience grows to love them all. Tim Constantine carries off the charismatic Andrew George Scott/Captain Moonlite with a forceful panache. The only quibble was that in hipster Fitzroy it was disappointing that Constantine didn’t have a proper hipster beard, that makes so many young men these days look like 19th century bushrangers (some of the bar staff here could’ve slotted into the play as extras without changing). After all there is a song in the show that celebrates Moonlite’s beard and sadly, the actor’s beard is fake.

Bitten By Productions describes itself as eschewing “non-naturalistic and the abstract in favour of creating a highly entertaining experience for the audience” OMG a theatre company who wants to give the audience an awesome time? These sound like my kind of theatricals. I think the drab, self conscious wankiness of mid 20th C theatre killed mainstream theatre for everyday folks. This show is a warm, welcoming, intelligent theatre experience that is fun for audience and talented performers alike. Certainly one of the best home grown musicals I’ve seen. I hope it goes on to much success.

Moonlight is playing at The Grace Darling Hotel, 114 Smith St, Collingwood, from Wednesday 17 January to Sunday 4 February.

Bookings: https://midsumma.org.au/program/moonlt18

The Laugh Out Loud Big Gay Comedy Night

By Peter Newling

For most of the year, Vau d’Vile in Fitzroy serves as a drag cabaret and restaurant venue. And what a fantastic venue it is. It has a lovely big stage, a wall covered in a rainbow flag made entirely of feather boas, and another wall covered entirely in Barbie Dolls – which is playful and creepy in equal measure. But for a few nights during the Midsumma Festival, the wigs and sequins take a break and the space is handed over to the Laugh Out Loud Big Gay Comedy team. Unlike most comedy nights, this one comes without a host, which adds a level of complexity to the start of the evening. First of all, there’s no-one there to set the scene and to get the audience excited about the night ahead. Instead it was up to the first act to come on and get the crowd in the mood. I’m not sure that’s such a great set-up, especially for the first performer who I’m sure would prefer to come on to an already warmed-up audience.

Fortunately, our first performer was Laura Davis who ran a very successful comedy room in Perth before moving to Melbourne. Laura is a very accomplished comic, having won the Golden Gibbo award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival back in 2015, amongst a string of other accolades. And rightly so – she’s very good at what she does. Her style is charming, down to earth and girl-next-doorish, a little reminiscent of Josie Long. You find yourself drawn in to her sweetness until the first c-bomb drops – and then you see that the raw honesty and disenchantment lie just millimetres beneath the surface. Laura shares a lot of herself with her audiences, which really helps cement the relationship. Her delivery is well paced, and her choice of words is perfect. You really should add Laura to your list of Aussie comics to see.

One thing I’ve really enjoyed in the comedy landscape over the past decade or so is the recapturing of old performance art-forms. Many will be familiar with the work of Nina Conti and others in reinventing ventriloquism. Some will be familiar with Sam Wills and his mime work – one of the few performers I’ve seen get a standing ovation at the Edinburgh Fringe. Our second act tonight is doing her bit to reclaim the arts of magic and mind-reading as a comedic form. Cath Jamison is billed as Australia’s leading female magician, but her set sits neatly in a night of comedy. Her rapport with the audience is excellent, and there are laughs-aplenty as she baffles and bamboozles her willing crowd. Testimony to the comfortable relationship she establishes early in her set, people are actually willing, if not eager, to volunteer when asked. The tricks vary in complexity, but there’s no doubting her showmanship, confidence and love of what she does. She has certainly put the fun back into an art-form that, for a while, was favouring ego over talent.

Our third and final comic of the evening was the experienced Bev Killick. Bev’s style is bold, brash and abrasive. There’s nothing demure or understated about this comic – she’s very upfront and not afraid to offend. Her on-stage persona is like the fun-but-vulgar aunt at the Christmas gathering that family members either adore or are scared to death of. Her material covered the well trodden paths of modern child-raising methods, and how she went about traumatising her own kids. It wasn’t until half way through her set that she realised that absolutely no-one in the audience had kids, so the material had no particular relevance. In an attempt to change track, she went to audience interaction. This led her into a discussion with a shy young man who revealed that he had not come out to his parents for cultural reasons – the comedy dried up, and a tangible awkwardness engulfed the room. But she soldiered on with more material about raising kids and the perils of having teenage boys. Whilst many in the audience really enjoyed the middle-class-bogan patter, I came away wondering if this comic had put enough thought into what people coming to a Big Gay Comedy Night might actually relate to.

It’s great that the organisers of the Big Gay Comedy Night were able to put together such an eclectic mix of acts for the evening, I’m sure there will be a lot more fabulous performers to look forward to. If you’re in the market for some stand-up during the Midsumma Festival, make your way down to the Vau d’vile. There’ll be something for everyone!

The Laugh Out Loud Big Gay Comedy Night is playing every Sunday and Thursday evening from Jan 14 to Feb 4 at Vau d’Vile, 62-70 Johnston Street Fitzroy.

Larry and The Dame – Magnum Opus

By Peter Newling

Walking into the urbane and cultured foyer of the Gasworks Theatre in Albert Park, I was greeted by an equally urbane and cultured crowd who had gathered to enjoy the work of Carita Farrer Spencer as part of the Midsumma Festival. As Blondie’s Rapture played softly in the background, I knew this was no grungy comedy venue, and that this was going to be no grungy comedy show. What it was, was an hour of top shelf laughs.

Larry and The Dame: Magnum Opus is billed as an ‘hilarious double bill (with herself)’ – and that’s exactly what it is. Over the course of the evening, Farrer Spencer introduces us to two characters – both played by herself.

Audience enters the auditorium to find the stage replete with grand piano adorned with a huge floral arrangement, and a velvet covered table holding a frighteningly large martini. A pianist (the very talented and unflappable Steve Russell) enters and begins to play “There is nothing like a dame” and act one is under way.

In the first half we meet The Dame – a fading cabaret star whose life disappointments have led her to hit the bottle, and hit it hard. Over the course of her set, she manages to consume an unhealthy quantity of alcohol, leading to some wonderful business with her costume, the mic stand and the hapless pianist. The song choices are excellent, ranging from musical theatre standards to Bassey and Eric Carmen – with one of the more unusual interpretations of La Vie En Rose you’re ever likely to see. And goodness, can she sing! The Dame’s tendency to forget lyrics, or indeed which song comes next, sets up some wonderful interplay with the pianist, who remains deadpan and stoic throughout. As the dignity of her character drops away, we see periods of high farce interspersed with moments of poignant introspection. It’s a remarkable performance.

At the half way point, after the diva’s unedifying exit, Steve is left alone with the audience. His version of the well chosen “Stuck in the middle with you” gives Farrer Spencer time to find her second character, Larry Paradiseo.

Larry is a chronically unfit lothario cabaret singer, convinced that he is utterly irresistible to the ladies. He is sleazy, sweaty, and has a dancing style all of his own. But it’s in this character that Farrer Spencer’s talents in audience engagement come to the fore. Accompanied by more well chosen songs from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Tom Jones and John Farnham, Larry inflicts himself on pretty much every female in the audience. The one liners are fun, and have obviously served this character well over the years. It’s delightfully cringe-inducing stuff.

The finale is something that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s a triumph of excellent song choice, a mighty voice, and some costuming brilliance.

The secret to the success of this show is Farrer Spencer’s total commitment to both characters. The physicality of both are spot on, and, as you would expect of someone of Farrer Spencer’s experience, she never drops character for a second. This skill for characterisation, coupled with a wonderful voice and great timing, make this a show you’ll remember for a long time.

The laughter throughout the show was rich and constant. At the end of the hour, the buzz in the audience was palpable and the applause was sustained and enthusiastic. Farrer Spencer obviously knows her stuff, and knows her demographic. If you like walking the line between comedy and cabaret, you’ll find this a worthy contribution to the 2018 Midsumma Festival.

Larry and The Dame – Magnum Opus is playing at Gaswork Theatre, 21 Graham Street Albert Park, from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 January.

Bookings: https://midsumma.org.au/program/larry18

Lemon Comedy Queer Showcase

By Peter Newling

A sell-out crowd packed into the warm and welcoming Hares & Hyena’s bookshop in Fitzroy for Lemon Comedy’s only foray into the Midsumma Festival for 2018. A small stage has been erected in the corner of the store, surrounded by chandelier, regency wallpaper and thousands of books. Complete with friendly bar service, who could ask for a better venue?

Lemon Comedy bills itself on its website as a “new global stand-up showcase that aims to promote diverse, sharp voices in comedy”. Younger performers get the chance to strut their stuff in front of a large and supportive crowd, while more seasoned performers can try out new material in a safe space. And, on this balmy Tuesday evening in Melbourne, they didn’t disappoint. The organisers brought together an eclectic mix of performers and performance styles for this one-night-only show. In fact, the audience was treated to seven classy acts across two hours of joy.

The quality of any gala often rests largely with the ability of the host – and in this role, Alistair Baldwin excelled. He kept the audience’s energy up between comics with warm repartee and generous introductions. His own material is terrific, managing to cover off topics ranging from Australia Post to cuttlefish in his mild-mannered, seemingly good natured shtick.

Space does not allow a full run down of all performers – so let me instead tell you about some acts to keep an eye out for in the future.

Melbourne comic Kit Richards was a stand out, giving the audience a sneak preview into the new musical that she is writing – which explores elements of early white Australian history and the difficulties of English folk adapting to Australian conditions. The songs were cleverly constructed, hilarious, and lovingly delivered. If that musical ever gets made, I’ll be first in line to buy a ticket.

Comedic trio Hit By A Blimp (aka Caitlyn Staples, Tiana Hogben and Jayden Masciulli) gave us an energetic mixture of sketch, song and interpretive dance in their Coldplay inspired portrayal of the pros and cons of Uber Eats. Well regarded improviser Nikki Spunde made a welcome return to stand-up and proved to be an audience favourite with her languid homage to sleep and haunting things.
Headlining the evening was the evergreen Geraldine Hickey. Whilst her choice of material – a set based on common fears – wasn’t the most imaginative of the evening, she won over the crowd with her trademark dry, laconic delivery, astute observations and easy-going nature. It was great for the younger comics to be able to enjoy a masterclass from such an experienced and assured performer, and provided the audience with a worthy pinnacle to their night’s entertainment.

Other performers rounding out this excellent, varied bill included Pat McCaffrie, Gamze Kirik and Liv Hewson.

Congratulations to Lemon Comedy on bringing together a great night out, and for giving us the gift of an inspiring celebration of diverse comedy. If you missed Lemon Comedy’s Midsumma gala, never fear. Their next gig will be on Valentine’s Day, and will celebrate, appropriately enough, the joys of singledom. Sounds like fun to me.

Lemon Comedy Queer Showcase was a One Off performance on 16 January 2018 at Hares & Hyena’s bookshop in Fitzroy