Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

With his reserved, kindly delivery, Guy Montgomery exudes an air of quiet authority, the tone of a man who knows what he’s talking about and is patiently sharing his expertise with the audience.

But the ideas the New Zealander conveys so patiently are absurd. That a bloke called Luke gave his name to ‘lukewarm’, to use an example that’s apt, given that just happens to be the temperature he likes his comedy. Nothing scorching, just enjoyably soothing.

The observations come from a place of boyish naivety –  the suggestion being that he doesn’t quite understand the world but assumes it to be benignly quirky.  It’s a winning approach and a two-way street, with his material usually showing empathy for the characters in it.

Because he’s such a nice Guy, the comic can flirt with the idea of doing something he oughtn’t, with us safe in the knowledge he’ll keep us safe. 

That’s demonstrated in the pivotal routine of this hour, when the 36-year-old recalls performing in India with an improv game that divides the stage into four quadrants. Each is assigned an accent the performer must adopt when in it. 

The big tease is whether Montgomery would do the Indian accent in the relevant area – or even here tonight as he recreates that gig. He literally flirts with crossing the line into dubious taste, moving carefully around the stage to avoid treading on the hotspot.

It’s playful, and provides an occasionally recurring motif in a well-constructed show that ties his routines together neatly but never showily, That would break the understated charm of this non-threatening oddball with his distinctive rhythms and mild-mannered style.

Review date: 16 Apr 2025
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival