Our regular Melbourne International Comedy Festival correspondent, Danny McGinlay, gives us his top 5 picks for the 2013 MICF .
Melbourne International Comedy Festival is here again my friends.
As I bring to you my now annual list of great shows to watch I add a disclaimer this year:
Yes, I am very aware that my list is five white heterosexual males with little to no hair. I’m afraid in the art form that is stand up comedy, that demographic makes up 75% of the market, so rather than pretend it’s not happening let’s celebrate it, because these five blokes are good at what they do.
1. Xavier Michelides – Good Morning.
This was the best thing I saw at the Adelaide Fringe. Xavier performs one man sketches all loosely based around the subject of mornings. He’s a five star performer who deserves to be knocking them dead on Broadway. Instead he’s performing at MICF. Do not miss this show.
2. Jacques Barrett – The Contrarian
Jacques is a Sydney based boy from country Queensland, so he says it how he sees it. Normally this trait makes you a complete arsehole. Thankfully Jacques is a thoughtful clever dude, so he only comes across as a bit of an arsehole. When the Comedy Festivals aren’t on he’s slugging out strong sets in all the big clubs in Australia and the UK. He’s match fit – do it.
3. Brad Oakes – An Elephant in the Room
Oakesy has been doing comedy for longer than you’ve been alive [possibly]. He’s an elder statesman of the scene and one we all look up to. This show is about how he beat his battle with a possibly life threatening illness, a great story by anyone’s standards, but in Oakesy’s hands, this will be one for the ages.
4. Gavin Baskerville – Crunch Time
Gav pretty much runs the Tasmanian Comedy scene, and is one of the friendliest blokes in the country, but his charm completely belies how savagely clever his comedy is. His is a truly gifted and hard working comic mind. If/when I get my Tonight Show hosting gig, Gav will be the first person I hire. Go see why.
5. Daniel Connell – Mr Personality 1988
One of the trappings of being a white male hetero stand up with little to no hair, is you often fly under the radar. I always knew Daniel Connell was a decent act, but I gigged with him for the first time in ages in February, and realized he’s become a truly great act. See him before he’s famous/a bitter and jaded gambling addict.
Laughter prevents cancer! Go out and see shows my friends, for everyone’s sake!
Danny McGinlay’s show – Hypertonic is on at Hairy Little Sista from April 9th.
Obviously it’s even better than these five shows combined.
Follow @dannymcginlay on Twitter
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