For every show I see, I also agreed to film a short 10-15 second review on my phone for The Age. They’ve called me the ‘Comikaze’, even though that makes me sound more like a suicidal communist than anything else. So make sure you check out those videos guys and also check out Marx’s Communist Manifesto wow what a great read.
I was a huge comedy nut heading into the Funny Tonne, and I still am, but in some ways seeing all these shows has tainted stand-up comedy for me. I’m predicting punchlines all the time, not from ingenuity, just because most comedians rely on certain factors to cause laughter. Surprise, tension, superiority, exaggeration etc. I really appreciate it when I come across someone trying to be original and different. Even if it’s just physical comedy like Daniel Oldaker, or following Xavier Toby dressed as a penguin as part of a walking tour of the city in 2013 – When We Were Idiots. They’re not necessarily the best shows, but they’ve been refreshing for me as a funny tonner.
The one thing I’ve learnt that separates the excellent comedians from the good ones is the ability to deliver material in a manner that resembles a conversation rather than a monologue. This is not a rule, however, as comics like Paul Foot can generate much laughter simply by being so absurd and different. It’s just what I’ve found audiences respond best to.
I don’t know what I’ve learned about myself, except for my ability to scoff down shitty sushi in seconds and also strangely that I find any personification of animals hilarious. It could be the worst comedian in history up on stage and if they say something like, ‘So then I turned around and my cat was ordering a Big Mac in the drive-thru!’ I will no doubt fist pump.
I’m only about 10 days in and already I’ve had some incredible highlights. I’ve been privileged enough to see so many talented comics like Dayne Rathbone, Matt Okine, Danny Bhoy, Greg Fleet and more. Speaking of Greg Fleet, it was interesting to consider what the criteria should be to rate a show. Is it how much the show makes me laugh? Is it how much it makes me think? What about stage production? Greg Fleet, much like Simon Keck, wasn’t shit-ya-g-string laugh out loud funny, but it changed my perspective a little bit, and I love that. It sounds silly to say, but comedy isn’t just about laughter. As Bill Hicks showed, it can be a powerful tool to inspire people and change the way they think. When your material makes the audience question themselves, their values, their behaviour and the society around them, and you simply use humour to break down their defences, then you’re really onto something.
In terms of lowlights: I’ve received some filthy looks from concerned parents as I sit alone at childrens’ shows. On one particular day, I honestly accidentally wore a trench coat. So, so, so uncomfortable for everybody in that room. I was also brought onstage and dressed as Princess Peach to the evil, mocking laughter of 5-year-olds. Little shits.
Many people ask me what the worst shows I’ve seen are, but look – these people have the balls to get up in front of strangers and talk about their insecurities and put so much work into trying to entertain an audience that it would be unfair to make fun of their work. What is terrible to me might be hysterical to someone else. That being said, I’ve been very honest in my video reviews, and will continue to be. I try not to be nasty, but sometimes I think that the joke I’ll make about the show is funnier than the show itself so I go ahead with saying something playfully silly. I mean no harm.
So as I plough through weeks two and three, and aim to not only crack the 100 but also the record (145), if you see my hairy mug around the place, please say hello and give me some fucking sushi.
BY NICK TARAS
