We’re on here.
The Opening Night Comedy Allstars Supershow kicked off a month of LOLs with a sassy showgirl start…for one host at least.
Bron Lewis came in bawdy, surrounded by purple, blue and red feather boas while Brett Blake leaned into his bogan upbringing with a scooter jump flip and shakas entry.
The likeable duo settled into their hosting role nicely, the nerves falling away within a few minutes.
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This was the twosome’s biggest ever show, both crowds and pressure-wise, and I’m pleased to report they got through unscathed and won plenty of new fans (myself included) along the way. They gave us gags about parents versus mystery poo (Lewis) and misplaced hometown pride on the football field (Blake).
Melbourne comic Dilruk Jayasinha opened the batting hitting only fours and sixes with great gear on his body’s many faults and how it’s affecting his love life. Ooof. He even did a callback to a Logie mention only a minute earlier, showing that the true professionals can slip in new stuff at the Gala.
Jayasinha mocked One Nation’s party leader and sarcastically added “We’ve got some Pauline fans in tonight.” Hanson received several sardonic mentions throughout the night, all drive-bys.
Edinburgh Fringe Best Show award winner and “delusional queer icon” Sam Nicoresti worked through material on Prince Andrew getting arrested on his birthday and pogo sticks.
Celia Pacquola kept her chin up with help from her boyfriend (too soon) and crushed her spot with physical zigging and zagging. She’s the master of the cock-eyed gesticulation and triple punchline delivery. She’s officially reached Our Celia status.
Tom Cashman picked up the energy after a slight dip with – what else – some brilliant stuff on bird idioms. His show NPC (Nearly Proficient Comedian) at the Lower Town Hall of The Melbourne Town Hall will surely be in the chat for a nomination for Most Outstanding Show judging on this form.
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Eccentric New Zealand beam of light Abby Howells perhaps won the most hearts with her anecdote about getting interrupted mid-sentence at a party and told she was autistic. What was she discussing? Top five military strategies of course. She also gave props to the choo choos. “Shout out trains, you’re doing great work out there.’
Cashman doppelganger Ian Smith came in hot with a scintillating three minutes on a crow cutting figure eights in a pub above patrons with a gleaming steak knife. His four-word punchline hit the spot.
Damien Power, Phil Wang and Luke Heggie all aced their spots as usual and Chinese cheerjerker He Huang was in full command of soft power when she opened with “Don’t worry, I’m not here to buy your properties.”
Lizzy Hoo did some funny stuff on gifts being heirlooms once you get to a certain age and Mexican/USA delight Lara Ricote was all killer no filler, adding with deft timing: “That was interestiiiing” to perfectly sum up her short set.
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