Don't swallow

Thu, 23 July 2009, 08:12 am

‘Don’t swallow: A handy guide to keeping your head above water (in an ocean filled with shit)’ is a Blue Room Theatre and JRo Production, in conjunction with Bootleg Comedy Promotions. It is showing at the Blue Room Studio, 53 James Street, Northbridge nightly at 8.30 pm until the 8^th August.

In this adult show, Robertson is in his stand-up comedian guise, telling us that to complain is better than to eat ourselves up with un-vented anger. After a couple of very funny slide presentations, John told us of his suffering as a youth. All of the topics that we were taught, as children, to avoid in conversation, were now on the table. His whinges on racial prejudice, religion, finances and plumbers were laid bare. His puppets drew a big ‘Oh cute’.

The performance ended with a song – and considering that John’s performance was one of the most played segments on the first ‘Australian Idol’ series - this too was most professional.

Robertson proved in ‘Cosi’ a decade ago, and more recently in ‘The Goat,’ that he is a more than capable actor. However his main love is comedy, coming 3^rd in the newcomers (Green Faces) National Comedy Competition, and with some wonderful personalities in the style of a young Barry Humphries, John was nominated for an Equity award.

Most comedians leave the stage perspiring and exhausted after a 10-minutes segment, here the 75-minutes show flowed at a tremendous pace, without a single flicker in the fast, enthusiastic delivery and not even a hint of fatigue visible.

Although delivered in the style of a friendly chat amongst friends, the script was obviously very well constructed, and magnificently presented under the direction of Don Smith. Lighting design by Jo Marsh.

On only a couple of occasions in this marathon comedy act did the humour dip slightly. There would be people who were offended, or cringed at the odd joke; but whether or not you like this style of humour, you would have to give this young man 10 out of 10 for his drive and magnetism. Very well received by the majority of the audience. I loved it.

hate

Sat, 1 Aug 2009, 11:18 pm

Walter Plinge

i hated the shit out of it. first of all, it was a stand up comedy show, which i wasn't aware was covered under the aegis of blue room productions. there are plenty of comedy venues in perth. So straight off, i think that was a mistake. second of all. It was a comedy show that tried really hard to be "edgy"... and failed miserably. To carry off humor like that, one has to be completely aware of the stereotypes and ideas one is playing with. this fell woefully short, and ended up ignorant, and frankly, scary, in its lack of understanding of itself. its like listening to Sarah Silverstien if she actually hated jews. it didnt even go far enough to be offensive. it was just.. a limp wristed attempt at humor that might be construed as such. Third. Making a reference is not inherent to a joke. Saying "remember optimus prime???? wow!!!", for instance, is not a transformers joke, its a non-joke. ANd in this show, a non contextualised Mario reference was a non joke. Followed by a comment about how the only person that laughed was the only person that "played super mario." No. i played mario. you were terrible. and that wasnt a joke. next. Much was made of the shittiness of Perth. and really. its stuff like this that drives that legend. It was really offensive watching someone take a government handout to talk about how terrible the place is, while simultaneously contributing more than his fair share to the terrible nature of the "scene." and also, directly begging present reviewers for a good review consistantly is a dick move, and also, shows a serious lack of respect for..well.. yourself. This is quite without doubt the worst thing ive seen at the blue room. It is the nadir of the 80s born, transformers lovin, computer game playing, comic book collecting, performing arts dabbling nerd set. and this is a set that i am a part of. I am thoroghly embarassed to be represented by this buffoon.

Thread (7 posts)

Threaded Flat

Don't swallow— Gordon the Optom23 July 2009

No other comments? I'm keen— Walter Plinge31 July 2009
hate— Walter Plinge1 Aug 2009
- really?— Walter Plinge2 Aug 2009
  - Erm, you mean me?— cernunnon4 Aug 2009
crap— Walter Plinge4 Aug 2009
Don't Swallow— kwylo4 Aug 2009

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