Tag: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Dr. Pam Rana & Tom Lang : Meatbags

By Colin FlahertyMeatbags

With a show about the human body they couldn’t have chosen a more appropriate venue than the Science Lab themed bar The Croft Institute. Taking us around the human body, Dr Pam Rana (an actual qualified medical doctor!) and Tom Lang (not a doctor!) described the various systems that make us tick. Through interesting facts, bizarre anecdotes and hilariously graphic analogies, we were educated as well as entertained.

This comedic lecture was an informal affair that almost belied the strong scientific basis of the show, making it clearly aimed at the lay-person not just the science geek. The crudely drawn PowerPoint slides added a home-made aesthetic and reinforced the light-hearted nature of the show.

There were a few eye opening tales of surgery and research that were in the ‘strange but true’ basket and plenty of bodily facts described using various pop culture references. Only a couple were cringe inducing so the squeamish needn’t be took worried. Puns were used at every available instance, some were impressive while others were suitably corny.

Rana was a ball of energy and came across as a cheeky child rather than a respectable doctor. Her onstage persona regularly got overexcited which forced Lang to rein her in.

Meanwhile Lang is a science communicator who has presented a number of comedy shows based on science. He acted as a sort of slightly reserved counterpoint to Rana but participated in a lot of the wackiness.

The pair worked well together on stage, bouncing off one another effortlessly. Interestingly all the heavy lifting of explaining the science wasn’t left to Rana, she and Lang alternated setting up jokes with facts while the other drove the punchline home. They introduced a sprinkle of mild comedic tension to add some spice but overall it was a breezy atmosphere.

If you are willing to navigate the alleyways of Melbourne, it’s worth taking a trip to the Croft Institute to see a brilliant show that’s informative and hilarious.

Meatbags is on at The Croft Institute until April 4.
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/meatbags-dr-pam-rana-tom-lang

5 Good Reasons to see Daniel Connell in ‘The Get Out Stakes’

1. The show is about my former gambling addiction but, don’t worry, it’s funny. You wont cry, except maybe with laughter. Definitely with laughter.

2. You’ll get to find out what absurd amounts of money I squandered and thus feel really good about yourself.

3. You might win a prize! You’ll have to come to find out what it is. See what I did there?

4. You care deeply about issues surrounding gambling and the business of racing, or…

5. You don’t really care about issues surrounding gambling and the business of racing, but you like a good laugh and other stories. Fun for all! Plus you can find out the dining secrets of a certain onion-y politician…

The Get Out Stakes is on at the Victoria Hotel until April 19
For booking information visit the Comedy Festival website :
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/the-get-out-stakes-daniel-connell

5 Good Reasons to see Mix Tape

1. A sketch show with a mix of everything – from the topical and observational to the down-right absurd. Think Monty Python meets Mad as Hell.

2. We’re the creative brains (and the not so creative kidneys) behind comedy shows like the Melbourne Uni Law Revue (2012-2014), ‘Tres Miserables’ (2014-2015) and ‘Office Party’ (2014).

3. EVERYONE GETS A CAR!!!…sometime in their life.

4. We’re at the beautiful Trades Hall on Lygon, so come grab a bite and a drink at the bar. Get another and we’ll be funnier still.

5. It starts at 7:15, so why not bring a date? Both sexes are attracted to people who make them laugh. So this will be a horrible first date for you, but we’ll do alright.

Mix Tape is on at Trades Hall from April 7 until April 19
For booking information visit the Comedy Festival website :
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/mix-tape-seemingly-evil

5 good reasons to see James Smith

1. I’m about to perform on Conan in the U.S.

2. Arj Barker says: “Watching James makes me want to quit and get a day job. Yes, he’s that good”

3. I’ve been invited perform at Just For Laughs Montreal this July.

4. I’ve been featured in Time Magazine.

5. I gave a Ted talk in NYC.

James Smith performs every Monday at the Melbourne Town Hall (Powder Room) until April 13.
For booking information visit the Comedy Festival website :
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/live-james-smith

5 good reasons to see Emma J Hawkins in I am not a Unicorn!

1: You’ll meet a host of quirky characters that inhabit Emma’s world including John the train driver (an average bloke), the wicked queen and the rare horned beast.

2: I am not a Unicorn is peppered with moments so immersive that the audience truly gets to feel what it is like to walk in a short statured person’s shoes.

3: I am not a Unicorn! is directed by acclaimed burlesque performer Maude Davey.

4: You’ll get to see me eat a banana on stage – apparently people find it hilarious.

5: Warning: this show contains a short-statured person defying stereotypes.

Emma J Hawkins in I am not a Unicorn 31st March -18th April at 7:30pm (6:30pm on Sundays) at Northcote Town Hall.
For Bookings details visit the Comedy Festival :
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/i-am-not-a-unicorn-emma-j-hawkins

Laura Davis – Ghost Machine

By Elyce PhillipsGhost MAchine

After the success of last year’s ‘Pillow of Strength’, Laura Davis is back at MICF with her new show ‘Ghost Machine’. Appearing before the audience as a ghost, Davis tackles the big questions surrounding our existence – What are we made of? How real are our feelings? What is the point of it all anyway? It’s the funniest existential crisis you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching.

In a way, it’s tough material to make comedy from. Questioning your own existence doesn’t tend to be a barrel of laughs. And yet, it’s such a quiet, secretive thing that most of us do, to discuss it in the loud, blunt way that Davis does highlights the absurdity of so much that is deep and scary in this world. We are all ridiculous creatures, dealing with the unknowable in our own imperfect, stupid ways.

Davis isn’t afraid to get personal with the audience. She shares stories about her childhood, her menial day job and her regrets, and invites the audience to do the same, applying her sharp wit to make comedy of our own sadnesses and terrible decisions. The show is raw, but this makes it feel more intimate and honest. It’s that honesty that makes Davis’ work so hilarious. She holds nothing back in her performance and it makes you want to reciprocate that openness by sending back laughter and joy into the terrifying void she speaks of.

‘Ghost Machine’ is introspective, but not self-pitying. Sad, but not despairing. It’s loose enough to draw your own conclusions from, or leave you questioning whether there are even any conclusions to be drawn. You’ll certainly be thinking about Davis’ words long after the show has ended. When I left, I felt like I needed a support group to help process all the thoughts and feelings it brought up, but in the absence of that, I feel like the next best thing would be to go and see the show a second time.

Laura Davis – Ghost Machine is on at Fort Delta until April 19
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/ghost-machine-laura-davis