Dave Thornton is a rising star on the Australian stand-up comedy scene. He debuted at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2007 where he picked up the ‘Best Newcomer’ Award, and has toured both nationally and internationally since. He’s also made regular appearances on TV, most notably filling in occasionally for Dave Hughes on Channel 10’s The Project.His new show The Some of All The Parts is based around a particular incident, in which he was invited to speak to a class of 12 year olds about his career. You might be forgiven for thinking that for a professional public speaker, talking to a bunch of teenagers would be a walk in the park, but as Dave tells it, it was the most terrifying gig of his career.
He tells us the story of his preparation for this particular performance and the realisation that he has little to offer by way of knowledge to impart to the average 12 year old. This central story provides a springboard for a host of other tangential tales and observations, with the conversation ambling around, back and forth, but always returning to the looming kid gig and his sheer lack of inspiration.
As a structural device, having a central story to provide a backbone to the performance is a good idea, but in this particular case, the story on which he has chosen to base his entire show is frankly a little underwhelming. Given the long build up, it fails to reach any significant climax, either comedically or inspirationally, and just sort of…well... peters out.
That's not to say I didn't enjoy the performance. Far from it. Dave has a generous and likeable onstage presence, and makes the most of his blokey, working-class background. The audience participation is handled well and in a non-threatening manner. Throughout the show, we certainly feel as though we have got to know Dave (and his family) a little better, and there are plenty of good laughs to be had along the way. But a more convincing ending might have sent the audience home truly inspired and with more than just a smile on their face.
A Token Event
The Some of All The Parts
Dave Thornton
Venue: Swiss Club | 89 Flinders Lane (btw Russell & Exhibition Sts), Melbourne
Dates: 29 March - 22 April, 2012
Times: Tue-Sat 9.30pm, Sun 8.30pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $26 – $22
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 & at the door
Part of the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival