Review by Steve Bennett

Maybe Yon got fed up of being the comedy ‘gimp’ in Tripod; but in switching one musical trio for another, he get the chance to take centre stage.

Prism Of Sexy Thoughts is a cabaret-style journey through his sex life, accompanied by CJ on piano and guitar, and Naomune Anzai on synth.

From pity sex at the age of 22, to trying to get it on after spewing, to describing his marriage being a manifestation of Stockholm Syndrome, to ‘dildoing a stripper’ Yon comes across as eager as he is awkward in the bedroom. He’s self-deprecating, but not entirely sympathetic, possibly because he seems to care little about the women in his stories.

Still, he’s a classy entertainer with an intimate, chatty style, as befits a man who delivers the entire show in his dressing gown and slippers. It’s relaxed to the extent that a few audience members want to engage in a dialogue, and although the well-meant interruptions become tiring, Yon engages them as well as anyone could.

Songs and anecdotes share equal billing, with numbers including 0.05% Chance Of Fucking Her, about the small acts of kindness he’ll show to attractive women in the hope of impressing them into bed, and I’ll Go Back On The Anti-Depressants If You Do Too, which sums up the state of his marriage, in his eyes.

For all its dirty subject matter, there’s nothing particularly edgy here, mildly embarrassing sex stories being such a comedy staple. Nor are we ever quite sure how much of this is truly confessional, as Yon (aka Simon Hall) has a light touch with his storytelling. But there’s certainly a ring of truth to what he reveals.

This doesn’t compare to Tripod at their best, but it’s a relaxed and enjoyable late-night. And he did use ‘dildo’ as a verb.

Review date: 22 Apr 2013
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival