Sing Us A Song You’re The Piano, Anne
As a reviewer, I get a nervous twitch for the first five minutes of any show. Not because I have an electrolyte imbalance but because it’s within this time frame that you can tell whether a show is going to be good or not. Rarely have I seen a show recover from a bad start.
It’s not that Anne Edmonds’show, Sing Us A Song You’re The Piano, Anne, got off on the wrong foot but, I have to admit, I thought it’d be an average show at best. How wrong was I? Edmonds is one damn funny woman!
As an audience, sometimes you just have to find the right connection with a performer. It probably took me ten minutes to warm to Edmonds’ comedy cabaret style but, once I did, I was hooked.
Edmonds is a confident and charming performer with just the right dose of kookiness. Her views on life are always slightly left of field but not so much that conservative audience members would feel estranged from the show. This show really does cater to a broad audience.
Most cabaret artists know how to sing but sometimes their repertoire between songs lets them down. Edmonds manages to pull both with aplomb and to the delight and hysterics of the audience. She moves fluidly from one craft to another without a hitch. Hell, she can even play the banjo and dance!
One of the highlights of the show is Edmonds’ characterisation of the nosey neighbour. Edmonds depiction of this classic stereotype takes on a whole new dimension injected with Edmonds astute wit and attention to detail.
What more can I say? Sing Us A Song You’re The Piano, Anne is exactly what we love about the Melbourne Comedy Festival: the opportunity to relax, be entertained and have a great big giggle.
Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au Until 4 April
