Nick Coyle: Me Pregnant!
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Nick Coyle is like a drama school student who’s seen the brilliant Pajama Men and thought 'I could do that!'

Erroneously, as it turns out.

Me Pregnant! is described as a ‘medieval revenge comedy’, in which Coyle takes the role of a minstrel – and every other character – recounting the legend of an evil goblin-monster bent on killing the villagers who slayed his mother. Prime target is geeky, lonely Emeline who led the mob, but is now shunned by the community.

Despite being dressed in smock and blood-red tights, out troubadour takes his task very seriously. The yarn is spun in absolute earnest, any fun in the story cloaked in layers of melodrama. There are funny voices and funny walks but Coyle – a former member of the Pig Island troupe – plays it po-faced.

This is more than enough for some members of the sparse audience, who guffaw loudly at the very concept. Indeed, his physicality or performance can be fleetingly funny, but it’s thin rewards for a plodding plot, drearily presented.

Coyle can occasionally coin a nifty phrase, especially from Emeline’s isolation, and the story finally wakes from its slumber about halfway through when the promise of what could have been becomes more clear.

But it’s a show that seems smugly pleased with its own invention, while being light on genuinely clever chuckles.