Shows (B)
Bec Hill: If You Can Read This, My Cape Fell Off
Boy With Tape On His Face
Show Details
Bec Hill: If You Can Read This, My Cape Fell Off
Show type: Melbourne 2008
Starring Comic:
Bec Hill

Bec Hill: If You Can Read This, My Cape Fell Off


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Description

Ever since she can remember, Bec Hill has always wanted to be a superhero, but when your only “superpower” is the ability to make awesome cheese on toast, do you stand much of a chance?

Even in her strange little world where ninjas chase her to work, stick figures come to life and Batman has a speech impediment, is her childhood dream achievable? Is yours?

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Reviews

Original Review:

As a child, Bec Hill obviously enjoyed spending time alone in her bedroom, playing with her superhero action toys, making the dolls talk to each other, drawing sketches of them and imagining her own life if only she had superhuman powers.

And as an adult… well, nothing has changed.

If You Can Read This My Cape’s Fallen Off is another one of the many folksy DIY comedy shows in evidence this festival – long on cute charm, if short on substance. Or should that be Long on charm, as Hill is very clearly from Josie’s school of comedy, right down to the way she speaks.

The uncynical pre-adolescent enthusiasm is definitely infectious, and you certainly believe Hill when she breathlessly gushes: ‘I really like talking to people…’ But come seeking jokes, astute observations or engaging stories, and you’ll be left wanting. Likeability, and a cheery compunction to become everyone’s friend, is the whole package.

Although her ramshackle mind wanders distractedly into other areas, some as mundane as imagining herself as a postal worker, the theme for this show is superheroes, and she ponders their powers, costumes and sidekicks. Most of the obvious jokes on the subject are neatly sidestepped – but then again, jokes as a concept seem to be anathema.

She’d rather show us drawings of the perfect cheese on toast, imagine an after-work conversation between Superman and a lisping Batman or show us a short film of her scooter being ‘pimped’ with stickers and cardboard flames into a vehicle befitting a low-rent crimefighter. It’s all rather sweet and creative, and all done with an engaging twinkle in her eye – but not, in all honesty, particularly side-splitting. That seems to be an increasingly common trap for this fast-expanding genre of winsome, lo-fi comedy.

There are some funny moments – and the best are closer to traditional stand-up routines than she might like, such as the scenario imaging a superhero being driven to a epic showdown by their mum – but overall, this is a sweetly smile-worthy hour, rather than an hilarious must-see.

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

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