In 2008, Stephen K Amos returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the fifth time to perform ‘Gets Next to You’. Employing his internationally renowned wit, ability to ‘find the funnies’, and bantering style of stand up comedy, he contemplates how the Internet (particularly Facebook and My Space) is making the world smaller, but is infecting our personal interaction with others.In contrast to his rehearsed and structured 2007 show, ‘More of Me’, Amos is more casual, reflective and adopts almost a talk show like format this year. To this end, the Main Hall of the Melbourne Town Hall is not entirely conducive to Amos’ frequent interaction with the audience throughout the show.
True to form, he manages to weave a clever reference to Australian politics and culture into any context, and freely talks about personal stories of his childhood and his experiences with racism, in an amusing fashion. In the name of enlivening personal connections, a definite highlight is Amos’ matchmaking exercise, which left the opening night audience in a mixed state of hysterics and slight disbelief.
Although the show is not littered with lines that will leave you crying with laughter, some of Amos’ quintessential bawdy one-liners tailored to particular audience members, certainly reminds us of his innate talent for live comedy.
Mary Tobin Presents
Gets Next To You!
STEPHEN K AMOS (UK)
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall, Main Hall
Dates: 20th March - 30th March (not Mondays), Preview 20th March
Times: 7pm (6pm Sundays except 30th ) 8.30pm on 30th March
Tickets: $25 Tightarse Tuesday, Weds Thurs, Sun $30 Full, $27 Conc, Fri & Sat $32 Full, $29 Conc
Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com / ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 660 013