The Melbourne International Comedy FestivalReviewed on Sunday April 10, 2022
This show may contain spoilers
Scanning through the many entertainment options on offer this year, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has something for everyone. Of all the variants, stand-up is potentially the most fascinating and challenging medium of all. That symbiotic relationship shared between the artist and their paying audience, is key to any show’s success.
Thanks to the vast number of acts in 2022, customers aren’t limited to a single point of view, either. Diversity may be found in many shapes and forms, too. This season queer comedy is represented by the likes of Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Geraldine Hickey, Rhys Nicholson, Stephen Oliver, Nath Valvo, and Alex Ward. Just to name a few.
Billing himself as the biggest sissy in showbiz, Chris Parker, is the court jester of stand-up. Sensing he was shot out of a glitter-filled cannon, for sixty jam-packed minutes this funny as fudge Kiwi kept viewers laughing and engaged non-stop.
Drawing on personal experience as his primary source for material, gives this observational journey special investment as well. Parker doesn’t hold back, including such relatable topics as:
- Acne breakouts as a teenager and what not to do;
- Choosing engagement rings;
- Going to an all-boy’s school;
- Hen’s nights versus Buck’s parties;
- Making friends as an adult;
- Nature versus nurture;
- Ordering coffee in Melbourne and in rural Victoria;
- Surprise birthday parties;
- Straight guys versus gay guys;
- The differences between Millennials and Generation Z;
- The pandemic and its various lockdowns; and
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The puberty monster.
The list goes on.
Aside from his ability to drop zingers left and right, Parker also knows how to tell a good yarn. One story, about his daily walk past a local fire station, was beautifully set-up.
Q & A is sometimes a part of stand-up where there is barely any distance separating the artist and their fans. What I particularly admire about Parker, is his knack for working material gleaned from various audience members into his act there and then. Meaning, viewers take away from the experience that the show was made just for them. It is a nice touch.
Running for the duration of the festival, Gentle Man plays until Saturday April 23