Brendon Burns on : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide

Australian comic Brendon Burns has been performing comedy since the early Nineties and is known for his aggressive stage presence and controversial material.

He briefly hosted the 11 O'Clock Show and even more briefly the ITV2 spin-off show I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here Now!, walking off after just three shows.

However it is live – and especially in his solo shows – where he has forged a reputation, with six live CDs to his name. He has also performed at Montreal and South African comedy festivals

He first appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1996, hosting The Comedy Zone showcase of new acts, and performing in his debut solo show 6pm Time To Get Up For Work. He has returned to the Fringe every year since, except for 1999, and in 2007 won its top prize, the if.comedy award

A trilogy, Burnsy versus Brendon, which ran at Edinburgh in 2004, 2005 and 2006, examined his own life – culminating in his mental breakdown and drinks and drugs rehabilitation at the Priory.

Reviews

Brendon Burns: Y'know Love n God n Metaphysics n Shit Live Review
Brendon Burns normally likes to try something a little different in his Edinburgh shows – and this year he’s employed comedy pub rocker Dave Eastgate to drowsily strum guitar as a backing track to his stand-up. It adds some elegance to the performance, but I think it’s something of a mistake. First, because the musical rhythm is fighting against the inherent pace and timing of the jokes. Comedy needs to explode on the punchline, but the music provides a more constant cadence, so reducing the impact of the gags. And since when has Burns’s comedy been about elegance – at least outwardly? Raw, no-holds-barred passion is what he does best, not drawing-room chit-chat. Second is that with a second Australian on stage, Burns has a habit of playing to Eastgate, not the room, as if he’s showing off to his mate. The encourage each other incorrigibly, and bark with laughter at each others in-jokes. In their mind it’s even funnier, in fact, if the audience doesn’t get the gag; and therefore worth repeating all the more. It leads to a certain sloppiness as the gig hobbles into action, with the few lines that flop being overplayed, while some pointedly insulting ideas about nationalism get a bit jumbled. Mind you, if it’s insulting you want, the message comes through loud and clear when Burns uncompromisingly lays into screeching Scottish women or invokes the most offensive imagry for homophobic Christians with his typical bile. But there’s a feeling this section isn’t quite finished. There are some great – sometimes wildly provocative – lines in there, but it’s rough around the edges and a little self-indulgent. But slowly a strong show starts to take shape, firstly through describing a relationship, second through some thoughtfully opinionated treatise. Even though he’s built his reputation on being contrary, Burns’s take on the current fad for paedophile jokes from young comics deluding themselves that’s all it takes to be Chris Morris is nicely unexpected. And he similarly goes slightly against the grain when it comes to atheism – although acknowledging all religion is inherently false is still taken as a given. If the show struggled to start, there’s no such confusion about the ending. Burns has repeatedly proved he knows how to build to a climax, and this year is no exception with a tender payoff, where even Eastgate’s guitar fulfils a valuable purpose. He pulls victory from the jaws of slapdashery to produce not his finest ever show, but still a damn good one.
Date of live review: Tuesday 10th Aug, '10
Review by Steve Bennett
Altitude 2013 Thursday 21st Mar, '13-
Brendon Burns: Fringe 2012 Monday 27th Aug, '12- Pleasance Dome
Brendon Burns & Mick Foley: Good God Almighty at Montreal Just For Laughs Sunday 29th Jul, '12-
The Wrestling Tuesday 16th Aug, '11-
Brendon Burns Returns Show - Melbourne 2009 -
Brendon Burns : Original Review Monday 1st Sep, '08-
Late Nite Down Under 2008 Show - Montreal 2008 - Monday 0th Jul, '08-
Brendon Burns: Fuck You I'm Brendon Fucking Burns Part VI (Again) Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2008 -
Brendon Burns: So I Suppose THIS Is Offensive Now [Montreal] Show - Montreal 2008 -
Pimm's Summerfest Show - Misc live shows -
Brendon Burns: So I Suppose THIS Is Offensive Now Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2007 -
Breaker Morant Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2007 -
Brendon Burns: Sober Not Clean Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2006 - Monday 0th Aug, '06-
Brendon Burns: Thinking Man's Idiot Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2002 -
Brendon Burns: Not For Everyone Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2003 -
Brendon Burns: Burnsy vs Brendon Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2004 -
Brendon Burns: All My Love, All My Rage Show - Edinburgh Fringe 2005 -

Comments

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I thought Scrappy Doo had retired! This guy really needs to be bigger..

Stella, March 2012

Burns does a convincing pose of a rock n roll comedian, but it is the mere carapace to not very nutritious filling. Less Bill Hicks and more Kelly Monteith after mescaline and schnapps.

Mandy Allan, November 2011

Saw him last night... He was great!! Don't worry , Belgian people are quite cool, but we got the jokes! Great show!! Others have felt it too... you're not the first one! Don't give up on us just yet!

Ellen, December 2010

Saw him at the Udderbelly in May while his latest show was still being fine tuned (no guitarist when I saw him then so I'll be interested to see how that changes things) and he ruled : beats me why he isn't a comedy megastar personally!

David Harris, August 2010

Saw Burns at the Fringe 10/08/10. As the official review says, the strumming guitar is both annoying and distracting. I had high hopes for Burns, but this performance just didn't cut it. I will not go to see him again. Yet the warm up with same strumming guitarist was more amusing than the show itself...

sm, August 2010

Sound advice. Also - wear clean pants

Brendon Burns, June 2010

Don't waste your money.

G, March 2010

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News

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Brendon Burns: Y'Know - Love 'n' God 'n' Metaphysics 'n' Shit
DVD review by Steve Bennett

23/11/2012 Permanent link

'There's a lot of tension in the comedy industry right now...'
Brendon Burns interview

31/07/2012 Permanent link

Brendon Burns joins the DIY brigade
Releasing DVD himself as a download

23/07/2012 Permanent link

Brendon Burns: Why I've taken up DIY
Releasing a DVD yourself is the way forward

23/07/2012 Permanent link

Farewell Patrice, my exhilarating, profound and hilarious friend
Brendon Burns offers a personal tribute to Patrice O'Neal

30/11/2011 Permanent link

Comics disrupt BBC News
Vine and Burns cause chaos

23/08/2010 Permanent link

Brendon burns some DVDs
Release deal for Edinburgh show

20/08/2010 Permanent link

Brendon Burns to host £10k comic hunt
Entries open today

12/08/2010 Permanent link

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Where can I see Brendon Burns next?

20:30 - Friday 31st May, '13
Venue:	Camden Head Camden
Prices:	£5
Comics:	Brendon Burns, Edward Aczel

Show starts: 20:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)

Recommended

19:30~00:00 - Wednesday 5th Jun, '13
Venue:	Bloomsbury Theatre
Prices:	£15
Comics:	Brendon Burns, Bridget Christie, Danny Bhoy, John Moloney, Marcus Brigstocke, Matt Richardson, Tony Law

Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)

Book now

23:45~00:45 - Friday 2nd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Friday 2nd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Saturday 3rd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Saturday 3rd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Sunday 4th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Sunday 4th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Tuesday 6th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Tuesday 6th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Wednesday 7th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Wednesday 7th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

21:25~22:25 - Thursday 8th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Thursday 8th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Friday 9th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Friday 9th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Saturday 10th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Saturday 10th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Sunday 11th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Sunday 11th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Tuesday 13th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Tuesday 13th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

23:00~00:30 - Tuesday 13th Aug, '13
Venue:	Pleasance Courtyard
Prices:	From £15
Show:	The Wrestling II

Show starts: 23:00

21:25~22:25 - Wednesday 14th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Wednesday 14th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Thursday 15th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Thursday 15th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

23:45~00:45 - Friday 16th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Friday 16th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

21:25~22:25 - Saturday 17th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Saturday 17th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

23:45~00:45 - Sunday 18th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Sunday 18th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Tuesday 20th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Tuesday 20th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Wednesday 21st Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Wednesday 21st Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Thursday 22nd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Thursday 22nd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Friday 23rd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Friday 23rd Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Saturday 24th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Saturday 24th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

23:45~00:45 - Sunday 25th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 2
Prices:	£8
Show:	Brendon Burns and Colt Cabana

Show starts: 23:45

21:25~22:25 - Sunday 25th Aug, '13
Venue:	Stand 1
Prices:	£10 to £12
Show:	Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

Show starts: 21:25

Brendon Burns's RSS Feeds

Brendon Burns's News

Brendon Burns's Shows

Represented by:

Independent Talent
Hugo Young
Oxford House
76 Oxford Street
London
W1D 1BS
Office: 020 7636 6565

Products

DVD (2012):
Brendon Burns: Y’Know – Love ‘n’ God ‘n’ Metaphysics ‘n’ Shit
Book (2010):
Fear of Hat Loss in Las Vegas, by Brendon Burns
Travel memoir
DVD (2009):
Brendon Burns: Sober Not Clean
DVD (2008):
Brendon Burns: So I Suppose This is Offensive Now

Brendon Burns's Shows:

Comic details:

Official website

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