There is something quite divisive about being a nerd.
There is something quite divisive about being a nerd. On the one hand, you are openly passionate about a particular subject, which is admirable, but there is always that nagging suspicion that somebody who spends their time obsessing about symbolic references in The Seventh Seal may need to get out more often.
Jason Chong suffers this same affliction, but rather than hiding it away like an unwanted Christmas present, he has elected used it to his advantage. After debuting at the 2008 MICF with his show Minority Retort, Jason continued his fascination with all things movie in the sold-out two man show, Sort Of The Rings. In this, his tenth year in stand-up, he is taking the next step in his career.
Jason’s new show, Reel Life, highlights a growing trend in modern comedy; multimedia projection. A show which begins as a stand up show is soon transformed into an interactive multimedia project with Jason being sucked into a video, and coming face to face with his evil alter-ego, Diablo. Chong flips between egos, converses with a number of digital selves, and even performs karaoke with them.
The show was debuted at the Adelaide Fringe festival to positive reviews, with Buzzcuts describing the show as “Packed with channels of high-definition humour and guaranteed to receive a great reception… Jason Chong’s Reel Life is the digital upgrade to analogue comedy.” Melding a likeable persona with some knowing TV and movie references, Chong’s ability to please the geeks among us has earned him a dedicated following, as well as judges commendation at the Adelaide Fringe in 2010. This year is shaping up to be Chong’s most successful to date, and with his new show, he might just convert you.
Jason Chong performs Reel Life at Melbourne Town Hall’s Cloak Room and at Melbourne Town Hall’s Backstage Room from March 31 – April 24. It’s at 7.15pm on Mondays, 6pm Tuesday – Saturday and 5pm on Sundays. Tickets are $15 – $22 and available from Ticketmaster online, 1300 660 013 and at the door.
