With 101 Comedy Club seeing different up and coming comedians performing every night in four ten minute sets, it is perhaps unfair to form a complete judgement based on one night alone. The success or failure of each show will necessarily depend on the particular acts performing that night. On saying that, based on this performance it’s probably best you look for your comedy fix elsewhere.
Most of the humour is bottom of the barrel stuff, with the occasional glimpse of comedic talent thrown lazily into the jumbled mix. Comedian, musician and 101 Comedy Club regular Tony Harries lowers the tone to near impossible depths, despite being rather incongruously described as ‘something for everybody’ in the show description. To be fair to him, the audience did request he perform the filthy version of his set, but his creepy drunk-uncle-at-the-wedding style was nevertheless quickly wearying. Only Scott Adams provided a brief respite, with some good laughs and sharp, observational jokes.
The MC for the evening does a passable job of making the audience feel at ease, getting everyone to shout out their names and even half-heartedly engaging with one young man in the front row, but his zany shtick seems to be mostly employed in covering up his lack of things to say. Admittedly, he does have a rather humorous dig at festival critics, accusing them of saying pretentious, meaningless things like, ‘But is this the future of comedy?’ Rest assured this reviewer would never utter such statements.
In a festival packed with comedy nuggets nestled in bars and club corners all over the city, this particular show just isn’t really worth the time or effort. However, it is possible that other nights will provide bigger, more satisfying laughs, and the fact that the event is free may encourage some to take that risk.
But, alas, the all-consuming question: is this the future of comedy? Well, let’s hope not.
