| Running the Risque | Wes Snelling |
| Written by Jan Chandler |
| Friday, 30 March 2012 17:33 |
 Wes Snelling is a much loved and multi-talented Melbourne performer who has been entertaining audiences with his special blend of music and comedy since 2000. He has won recognition for his work as a singer, songwriter, actor and comedian. In 2009 his show KIOSK won the MICF Moosehead Award and later the same year he toured Europe and was invited to perform in Copenhagen (World OutGames), Edinburgh and Berlin. This year he hosts and stars in a cabaret performance, Running the Risque, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show features Wes and a number of his much loved characters along with other comedy/cabaret performers who vary from show to show. You will need to check out Wes's website – to find out who will be joining him on any given night: www.wessnelling.com. Last night Wes Snelling (along with Auntie Carol, Carl Snelling and Tina Del Twist) was joined by Em Rusciano and Bart Freebairn and together they delivered a fun night of cabaret, full of variety and laughter, which earned a warm and enthusiastic response from the audience. Snelling has a low-key, friendly comic style; there's no shouting (except from the audience) and he talks 'with' his audience rather than 'at' them. His jokes may be risque but his sure delivery insures that they laughter-inducing. And his singing voice! As a lover of blues and jazz I could have heard a lot more of Tina Del Twist's version of Stormy Weather. And, Stephen Weir on guitar is great, not only as a musician but also as a delightful foil to Snelling's antics as the jet-lagged, boozed and maybe a little demented Tina. Em Rusciano, as Wes reminds us, her of The Project, The Circle and Australian Idol, presents as a burlesque diva, and what a diva. Not only does she look great, tell a series of hilarious jokes – from her experiences of marriage counselling, to her memory of primary school sexual exploration and teenage Blue Light Disco dances – but she has a fantastic voice. Her rendition of Pony is hilariously bawdy, as much because of her suggestive gyrations as of the words. And the segue fan! I love the idea. Bart Freebairn, whose show Underground Awesome Quest runs till 22 April as part of the Comedy Festival, is another Melbourne based comedian. His gentle, whimsical, comic style takes the audience from spiritually to petroheads and back again, laughing all the way and wondering how we got there. Running the Risque is a performance that moves back and forth from the lay-back and easy-going to the raunchy and hilarious without skipping a beat. There is song and banter, story-telling and loads of laugher. Grab a drink and as table and enjoy! 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Running The Risqué Wes Snelling Venue: The Order of Melbourne | Level 2, 401 Swanston St, Melbourne (Licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian) Dates: 28 March – 8 April, 2012 Times: Sun–Thu 7pm Duration: 55 minutes Tickets: $25 – $20 Bookings: trybooking.com | At the door Comments (0)Subscribe to this comment's feedWrite commentYou must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
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