Right,
Before I get down to the nitty-gritty I just want to mention a personal blogging landmark that, when I started writing, I had no idea if I'd reach. Since my last post (and last time I checked) the number of views of my blog has crept over 200! I've done a bit of math, and from what I can see, either the three people that follow this blog have viewed it 66.6666667 times each, or other non-followers have browsed on, read it and decided it's not for them. I'm not sure what's worse, sixty-six point something pity views from your friends or strangers reading it and deciding it's poo. Oh well.
I'm pretty sure I would have reached this landmark on about day 3 of blogging if I hadn't clicked the little button that says "Don't count my own views", but here's to hoping for 500 views in the future. And perhaps we can pick up a few new followers on the way.
Onto business now.
As I said last week, I scored free tickets to watch a couple of shows last Thursday and I was pleasantly surprised. First up was Henning Wehn's show My Struggle, which I went to watch on my own because I couldn't find anyone who was free to come with me, and I'm not one to turn down free tickets just because I might look like a loser. It took me a while for it to click, but the name of his show is frickin' funny. He's a German comic, so if you don't get why it's funny, google anything to do with "My Struggle" and Germany and see what comes up. I think it's a pretty ballsy title so I like it.
Despite the fact there were only ten audience members, it was a really funny show and one I would recommend seeing. With more people watching, there would have been a totally different atmosphere and made it a real success. But it was only a preview show so I don't think many people were expected to watch. There was also a really nice touch at the end of the show as well, because he waited outside, shook everyones hand as they left and gave them a signed copy of his DVD from last year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I thought he was a really nice guy with a really good show.
Immediately after that, I met my girlfriend in the foyer (who happened to be stood talking to Ava Vidal after meeting her in the toilets..... women!) and we went and watched Ian Bagg's show. He was totally different. Still a really funny show but a totally different prospect. He's got a real talent for being sharp and quick witted and his whole show was basically talking to each and every member of the audience, asking them a mix basic questions and questions you can't answer without looking like a fool (Like "Where is the best place for anal sex?"), and pointing out how they have made themselves look stupid. One member of the audience proudly stated that he hadn't had kids because there were "too many short curlies". No-one really knew what he meant by that but it was funny.
I think the best thing about this show is the fact you could watch him several times and none of the shows would be the same. But there's no point seeing him unless you are willing to participate.
So that was Thursday night. Pretty successful if I do say so myself.
Then on Monday night I went and checked out the open mic at The Exford. Maybe I was there on a particularly tame night but it was a pretty friendly crowd. It got a bit rowdy towards the end but it always will when people have had a few drinks. The line-up was also a pretty diverse and good one. There was a sketch show on and comics from Australia, Ireland and Scotland, some of whom have shows on at The Festival. It has filled me with confidence that I could get up and have a go without being heckled out of the room so I'm going back tonight on my second recon mission before I give it a go maybe tomorrow or Friday night.
Then, finally, I went with a few chums to watch Ava Vidal at Chapel on Chapel last night. I actually thought her show was the best one I've seen out of the three. I think my favourite joke was when she said she would never sexually assault any of her kids because she isn't a "chubby chaser". She talked a lot about her time living in Africa and time spent in the Middle East which, on occasion got a bit too political for my simple mind to follow but she was very funny. Another show I would recommend.
It's really hard to choose which show to go and watch at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, especially because there are over 200 shows going on, on any one night. Plus the standard of the shows range from terrible to bloody amazing so a lot of research has to go in before you see anyone unless you're willing to take a leap of faith. But if you happen to be around at any Comedy Festival, anywhere, go and watch something because it will make your day.
So in summary, I've seen three really good shows and scouting the Exford as a potential venue for myself. I'm going back tonight and may even get up depending how I feel. I may also see another show tonight before the open mic but I don't know yet. But check back in a couple of days and I'll let you know how it all went.
Bye for now,
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