Mary Tobin Presents. Comedy SuperNova – Venus Room. 20 Feb 2015
Nosebleed back rows of the Nova as critic's allocation was a bit of worry. It is really nice to be able to see. However, the full house turned out to be not so full and the audience was directed to move down. Second row seats were much better.
Why the show was not the described full house is perplexing. This threesome of seasoned comics are about as good as they get. Only one was on the advertised line-up, but who cares?
All three were well-rehearsed. All three had excellent, interesting material in the loose narrative style. All three were pithy and funny, funny, funny.
John Hastings from Canada opened the show, picking an appropriately reluctant audience target and thereafter periodically referring back to or embellishing references to this target. Naming and developing a persona for the cat was particularly sweet and one always wonders at the disciplined quick thinking with which these audience patters are devised.
Hastings described himself as looking "like Hitler's wet dream" and, indeed, he is a WASPish looking fellow. Turns out, he was born three months premature and he is possibly the only comic on the circuit with premmie gags.
Some nice observations on Tony Abbott went down well, too.
British Carl Donnelly rocked up on stage full of the joys of laser eye surgery. He became funny when he delved into his divorce stories and, heavens above, tales of providing sperm samples.
Chris Parsons, also from the UK, polished off his very slick and funny act and the night itself with a hot cooked chicken yarn which had the audience crumpled up and weeping with laughter.
That is what comedy should be about. These comedians have restored my faith in Fringe comedy.
Samela Harris
When: 17 Feb to 14 Mar
Where: Comedy SuperNova - Venus Room
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
