Being invited to perform in Set List is a double-edged sword for a stand-up – on the one hand it is considered an honour and privilege, but on the other hand, performing stand-up based solely on improvisation is a pretty scary proposition.
Just like musicians, comedians always have a set list – whether it’s a list of mnemonics scribbled on the back of their hand or just a rote-learned script in their head, there is always a plan.
In this show, the set list is only given to the comedians once they step on stage and it’s only given out one joke at a time.
On the night we went, the performers were (in order) Dave Bloustein, Gordon Southern, Celia Pacquola, Sam Simmons, Sarah Pascoe and Sean Cullen. It was only supposed to be five performers but we got lucky and Sarah Pascoe was drafted in as a late entry.
As each comedian got on stage, their first line was flashed up for all to see. Dave Boustein kicked things off with ‘circumsalesman’. His set was funny and set the tone well for the rest of the show.
Gordon Southern had a blistering set. One of the highlights was his response to ‘sexy pope’. He managed to tell a reasonable joke or story for every set list prompt he was offered and was sharp and fast.
The usually brilliant Celia Pacquola was the most visibly nervous and her set suffered as a result, with her offerings somewhat lacking. Eventually she kicked into gear with prompts ‘Shame Camp’ and then ‘The other C word’. But you could see that she was relieved to leave the stage by the time her turn was done.
Next up was Sam Simmons, whose status as an absurdist comedian made me somewhat sceptical as to how he’d fare. While he didn’t really come up with the goods like some of the other performers, he made up for it with some hilarious audience bashing and random musings (FYI, if sibling sex was on the menu, he’d definitely take his brother over his sister).
Sarah Pascoe was great and probably the most consistent with call-backs, primarily around her prompt for an ‘eloquent pie critic’ from which she drew some funny gags which she then built on for the rest of her time on stage.
Sean Cullen was the final performer and displayed a terrifically dry sense of humour and was incredibly quick-witted.
One of the funnier aspects of this show is watching the comedians build on each other’s jokes and even do call-backs to earlier performers’ sets. It is also great to witness their different approaches and styles.
They call this the comedy show for comedians and you can see why – this is the art at its bare bones with no safety net, no preparation and nothing to fall back on.
It can either go wrong or it can go very right and either way, you’re going to laugh.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Set List – Stand Up Without A Net
Vic’s Bar, Victoria Hotel
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
www.comedyfestival.com.au
4 – 19 April (not Wednesdays)
