CV

Set List
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Normally stand-up requires a suspension of disbelief, with the audience accepting the conceit that comics are just having a spontaneous conversation, not reciting well-rehearsed scripts.

The intriguing idea behind Set List is that the comedians ARE making this stuff up as they go along. I say ‘intriguing’ – for those performers taking part it must be positively terrifying. As they stand on stage, a series of topics flashes up on screen which they must make into material – whether it be ‘scorpion immunity’ or ‘hook hand versus no hand’

It’s comedy’s equivalent of the medieval rack – at best a stretch; at worst torture.

For the audience, the attracting is seeing how the comedians’ brains work, as host and co-devisor Paul Provenza – best known as director of The Aristocrats movie – is keen to point out. It’s about the process not the result.

And those results are predictably varied. Of the half-dozen acts who took part tonight, opener Damian Smith made it look easy, with fluid improvisation that found some funny in all the unlikely topics, setting an unrealistic expectation of the rest of the participants

Laura Hughes awkwardly embarked on the idea that she was an alien studying human culture, which didn’t really work but gave her a consistent get-out as she struggled with concepts such as ‘Blackface = fun’.

American Ian Bagg got laughs out his struggle, as he seemed genuinely stumped by most of the topics, but both Tom Agna and Dave Bloustein grabbed the game by the horns and produced some fine work. Bloustein was arguably sharper than Agna, who was frequently left grasping at straws, but his struggles to form on-topic gags eventually bore fruit, in the spirit of the game.

Set List – which has a different line-up each time – rewards a strong comedic persona, and that was most evident in closer Mike Wilmot, whose ‘drunk, irascible uncle’ shtick stood him in good stead as he seemingly lost patience with the preposterous suggestions, only to eventually form something resembling a routine out of them.

Because of its spur-of-the-moment nature, this is never going to be the funniest hour in the festival, but it’s certainly offering something different, especially if you like to see your comics sweat.

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I just saw this guy tonight for the first time. I loved his political and religious rants...witty and hilarous. Had me laughing so hard I was crying from the time he got on stage till the end of the show.

Teresa, February 2006

One of my three favourite acts - exciting to watch, always relevant and always testing the boundaries. Oh, and he's just produced one of my favourite ever movies. Top class.

Rich, March 2005

I only went to see this guy last year at the Edinburgh Festival because Free Beer was offered. Provenza's comedy was as flat as the beer they served. Stay in America Paul.

Lee Strut, March 2005

Very funny guy. My only criticism is that one should exercise extreme caution before saying the words "F**k the pope" in a city like Glasgow where religion is a somewhat sensitive issue. But fantastic material, and defintely worth seeing.

Q from Airdrie, December 2004

Not only funny, but intelligent and political and pushy without leaving the audience behind. I went with friends of six different nationalities. They all laughed. Including the ones whose English is less than fluent.

Claire, November 2004

Great guy with alot of ranting to give with his political and social material. Paul is the first person I've truly seen that can hold 200 people's attention.

Wayne Howard, October 2004

Great comedy - fresh innovative and right to the heart of current matters. This guy has plenty to say and is worth listening too.

Patrick Rolink, May 2004

Very very funny and talented man with an incredible CV and exceptionally sexy accent. Well worth making the effort to see him.

Kate, March 2004

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