Photo - Claes GellerbrinkStephen K Amos's 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival show Finding the Funny, is, as he warns his audience at the start, an hour, without drama or pathos, but there is laughter a plenty, so much that you can't even count it!
Amos is a keen observer of human behavior, physical and verbal, and he has the Aussie culture (or should I say KULTURE) just right. He draws his audience in to share the joke and more often than not, has them laughing with him at their own idiosyncrasies. There is no sense of cheap laughs, even his blue jokes catch you unawares and have you laughing out loud. He may be in control, the master of ceremonies, but he also has the generosity to allow others to shine as shown by his response to a surprise guest at the end of the show: Amos stands in the shadows leaving her in the spotlight and happily allows himself to be the butt of her jokes.
There are the expected jokes at his own expense but only a few. Adelaide takes quite a serve but then in reality he is sniping at all Australians; I'm sure Melbourne got its share when he was in Adelaide. He even manages to find the 'funny' in tragedy; as with all great comedy he manages to divert his audience away from the seriousness of the situation and sneak up on them with an unexpected twist that diverts them from the central issue and has them laughing out loud. Another of my favourite sequences was when he made fun of those television ads that shout at you, using the style to sell … well I won't spoil the joke; you need to enjoy it for yourselves.
The Comedy Theatre was packed and the audience joined in the fun, or rather most of them; there are always a few shy ones but watch out 'cos Amos is likely to draw you out. Given Amos's skill at improvisation I've no doubt every show will have its different nuances, but you may rest assured there will be more laughs than you can count, and when you leave the theatre you will have left all the drama and pathos of your life behind you, no matter how fleetingly. There is nothing like a good laugh to chase away the blues and remind you that you are alive!
Sorry Stephen but I wish Lenny Henry a long and healthy life, because I want to continue to have the pleasure of seeing Stephen K Amos LIVE!
Mary Tobin Presents
Stephen K Amos (UK)
Find The Funny!
Venue: The Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Date: 1st – 11th April (not Mondays), Previews 1st & 2nd April.
Time: 7.15pm (6.15pm Sundays)
AND
Venue: The Forum Theatre, 154 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Dates: 14th – 19th April
Time: 9pm (8pm Sundays)
Tickets: Previews $30/$27, Tues $30/$27, Weds – Sun $36.90/$33.90
Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com / www.ticketek.com.au or 132 849