Away from the throngs and masses of the Town Hall, there are numerous venues spotted around the City of Melbourne which are playing host shows from this year’s Comedy Festival, and tonight’s show leads me off the beaten track, to the Portland Hotel.
Away from the throngs and masses of the Town Hall, there are numerous venues spotted around the City of Melbourne which are playing host shows from this year’s Comedy Festival, and tonight’s show leads me off the beaten track, to the Portland Hotel.
Mob Of 3 are presenting their new show, Ghost Sharks, which was a recipient of this year’s Moosehead Award. The story itself is centred around Felix, an encyclopaedia salesman from the town of Deepwater Scum. After one of his colleagues is found mauled by a mysterious sea creature, he decides to investigate, and uncovers a plot which could wipe out mankind; Aquageddon!! Evil is pulling the strings behind this fiendish plan, and Lucifish is his name!
As soon as the house lights go down, and three men walk on stage in Morph suits, it is immediately clear that we are not going to be treated to spectacular special effects. The fact that Felix is being chased by ghost sharks, who are invisible, gives you an idea how Mob Of 3 have adapted their humour to suit their budget. Fear not, because what this show lacks in financial clout, it makes up for in ideas!
As the cliched story might suggest, this is a homage to all those movies we loved as a child, and the cinematic heroes who we aspired to be, but with a dose of off-the-cuff humour. Imagine Jaws, but instead of Roy Scheider saving the day, insert The League Of Gentleman. The plot merely serves to get the performers from A to B, but also gives them the space to lead us into inane ramblings. The real joy of the show is watching the performers go off on tangents, and try to make each other laugh. Despite a middling turnout, it is apparent that the crowd are enjoying the proceedings.
This show has real potential, and really benefits from the fact that it isn’t taking itself too seriously. The plot is loose, and the morphsuits are tight, but don’t let that put you off. Mob Of 3 have put together a show which had me laughing even after I had left the venue. These guys have the nerve to get up on stage, and take fate into their own hands. This is what the Comedy Festival is really about. Don’t be put off by the lack of a budget, this show doesn’t need it. They have one thing you can’t buy; Ambition.
