Category Archives: reviews

Fiona O’Loughlin **** (The List)

Bloody funny, just don’t show her the Bloody Marys

An Irish-Australian who loves to get drunk? Now there’s a novel idea. Don’t be fooled though, Fiona O’Loughlin strides comfortably through what should be a cliché minefield, and finds comedy gold in the true story of her struggle with alcoholism. Her wicked, ‘couldn’t give a rat’s arse’ sense of mischief steers the show clear of any schmaltzy, overly earnest moments, as she looks back at the ‘red flag’ episodes that led to her hitting rock bottom about two years ago, and realising she needed to get sober.

Expertly taking the piss out of the Oprah/Dr Phil school of navel-gazing, hating the 19-year-old goody goody girl who (unnecessarily) attends her AA meetings (‘her rock bottom story was totally shithouse,’ she adds with an eye-roll), and reminiscing about the horrible day when the Duke of Edinburgh told her off for behaving inappropriately, she is an effortlessly smooth and relaxed storyteller who chuckles through a good deal of her own material. But there’s a bravery and honesty to her show that adds an extra something to chew on. Candour, wisdom and desert-dry wit make this a smart and very funny confession.”

Written by: Claire Sawers

In The List 8/8/11

For more information about Fiona’s show head to her show page,

Or buy tickets here.

Ian D. Montfort – Comics with “a little something extra up their sleeves” in The Observer on Sunday

The Guardian‘s Observer on Sunday reviewed Tom Binn’s newest incarnation Ian D. Montfort today In an article that lists comics who offer something a little more special than straight stand-up, Stephanie Merritt said,

“Since retiring his award-nominated amateur DJ Ivan Brackenbury, character comic Tom Binns has found new success in the guise of spirit medium Ian D Montfort (Spirit Comedium, Pleasance). Simply spoofing this dodgy profession offers plenty of comedic scope on its own (“There’s a lady here,” Montfort says earnestly, eyes closed, “who’s either thinking about losing weight or has just lost some weight…”), but what makes this show so compelling is that Binns has learned the genuine tricks of the trade, so that laughter turns to astonished gasps as he appears to receive real information about audience members from their chosen dead celebrity. There are some lovely moments – “Is anyone here thinking of Ernie Wise? Anyone?” Pause. “No one again, Ernie, sorry. Next time, bring Eric with you” – and, as with Brackenbury, the details of the character are beautifully observed, down to the embroidered jeans and flip-flops. This is a superbly original idea, skilfully executed – an affectionate debunking of the genre that also admires the cleverness of its deceptions.”

Read the who of the article here

Learn More about Tom Binns as Ian D. Montfort – Spirit Comedium on his show page

And buy tickets from the Pleasance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah Gadsby – Mrs Chuckles **** The Skinny

Our lovely Hannah Gadsby just got 4 STARS from the Skinny!

****

In an intricately assembled hour of slow-burning mirth, Mrs Chuckles takes in Australian small towns, homophobia and famous last words with an endearing, ramshackle charm.

Ambling across the stage to the rough-edged riffs of Tom Waits, Gadsby is not the kind of artist to go in for an arresting introduction. The tea and biscuits opener is quite brilliant, allowing the performer to set up a deliciously awkward conversation with a sometimes feisty, sweaty Friday afternoon audience, most of whom are Australian. Humdrum subject matter is a foil, of course, as the recurring Jammy Dodger motif allows Gadsby the space to explore deeper topics of identity, the problems of human communication and femininity.

Despite an air of self-deprecation, she is a comic whose technical judgement is clinically sharp throughout this pleasing show. Gadsby’s versatility allows her to shift from a Donald Duck impression to a provocative reflection on murder and prejudice in seconds.

Simon Fielding – The Skinny