CV

Gordon Southern: A Brief History Of History
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

It won’t come as much surprise that in a show that condenses the entirety of recorded human history into an hour, there’s rather a lot going on.

Gordon Southern adds to the action by chucking PowerPoint slides, musical stings, two-line raps and a smidgeon of audience participation into the rich mix. Topics with vast potential for gags, from the Roman Empire to European colonialism, are each dismissed in a couple of minutes.

The content is necessarily superficial – an adjective which could just as equally apply to Southern’s jokes. For the pace of the show, the need for him to enthusiastic, driven and upbeat far outweighs the necessity for beautifully crafted gags –and that, indeed, is how it pans out.

From showing an images of a Mutant Ninja Turtle when he mentions Leonardo Da Vinci to imagining great warlords clashing in pay-per-view boxing matches, the writing is funny enough – rarely more or less – even when it needs to deploy stereotypes to keep the speed up.

That said, a couple of more inventive moments stand out, especially the idea running the World Wars backwards to give them happier ending. But even if you don’t like one segment, it won’t be long until the next one.

Southern’s eminently charming and good-natured and makes for a jaunty, confident guide through his sprawling subject, and like an accomplished plate-spinner keeps several running gags aloft – from facts that might not be true to cheeky jibes at a couple of members of the audience packed into this tiny space.

It all makes for a feelgood hour that fair flies by, in contrast to so many festival shows. You won’t learn anything, it won’t change your life, you won’t come away with jokes to tell at the water cooler, but you’ll probably have fun.

Skip to page: 1 | 2

I saw thisn guy in Australia. Absolute crap. If you want to spend 1 hour listening to boring stories about nothing, no gags, no jokes, no nothing, dry boring boring rubbish. Its sad when the best part of a show is knowing there is only one minute to go. Don't waste your money.

Bill Whittington, July 2009

He's brilliant. Definiely go and see him, awesome comic and lovely lovely gu.

Laura, March 2008

Saw him at Twisters in Bournemouth. Heads above the other comedians. Had the audience pissing themselves. Felt sorry for the act after him. Great comedian.

Matt Hamm, March 2006

Gordon is excellent, he is very funny, participated well with a small crowd and doubt with unfunny hecklers in spectacular fashion. to be recomended

Pete, September 2005

Gordon is a truly superb stand up. Excellent material delivered with style. A lot of his topics are indeed tried and tested, but his comic insights way outstrip those of his peers.

Nelson, March 2005

The perfect compere,warm, likeable, chatty and very funny. Saw him in Newcastle last week and he was excellent, he really moved the gig along beautifully.Highly recommended

Rich, March 2005

If you see Gordon's name on the bill as you walk past a comedy club, make sure you go in and see him. You won't be disappointed. Terrific in every respect.

Alaric Dynevor, February 2005

He was at the Backyard Comedy Club last night and died on his arse. And he really was knocked out of his stride by the way his gags were getting nothing but polite giggles.

Dean Saliba, August 2004

Skip to page: 1 | 2