As Lawrence Leung tells the audience at the beginning of his Perth International Comedy Festival show, he isn’t one of those ‘arrogant comedians’ who gets their kicks from picking on audience members – and true to his word, he really is one of the nicest guys in comedy. Leung kicks off with a few gags and anecdotes, some jokes just self-deprecating enough to get the audience onside, and then the projector is switched on. The show is entitled Beginning Middle End, and so, we must have a story.
The ‘beginning’ of the tale involves Leung’s housemate discovering erotic fanfiction about Leung and a certain Neighbours character online. The concept itself is comedy gold, and the subsequent quotes that Leung pulls from the fanfic piece are appallingly fantastic, causing the audience to simultaneously squirm in their seats and chuckle in shock. The ‘middle’ of the show obviously comes next, where Leung discusses his infatuation with an Amelie-type girl called Millie who he met in university. We’re taken on a journey through his friendship with Millie, from a misperceived fistfight to cringe-worthy tales overseas and a several-part PowerPoint presentation on the misgivings of Colin Firth.
Leung’s show is clever: he manages to weave and wind his way through various stories and anecdotes, often using the same themes or people, without creating a confusing or jumpy atmosphere. The show itself is designed to make the audience think about how they see themselves compared to how others perceive them – and Leung pulls it off. This is one of those rare comedy shows that manages to not only elicit laughs all the way through, but also gives the audience something to take away and think about.
Despite everything, it is the ‘ending’ of the show that absolutely takes the comedy cake – a finale to top all finales. The surprise won’t be spoiled here, but suffice to say it really proves Leung’s passion for his comedy. Smashing work, Lawrence Leung.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Lawrence Leung – Beginning Middle End
Jack High Room, Perth
8 – 11 May
Perth International Comedy Festival
www.perthcomedyfest.com.au
1 – 19 May
