Nick Cody, Paul F Tompkins, Charles Barrington : MICF Reviews

Nick Cody – It’s Not You It’s Her

Nick Cody - "A Bit of a Funny C**t"

The likeability and relatabilty of a comedian is pretty bloody important – it can make or break a career, help one rise above the crop and even occasionally make up for some less than brilliant material. It’s what showbiz is all about.

Likeability is something Nick Cody has in spades.

At just 23, Cody comes across as a comedian well beyond his years (it could be the beard). He also comes across as that confident, smart ass prick that everyone in school still seemed to love because he’s “a bit of a funny c**t”. It’s this very familiar trait which makes him so enjoyable to watch.

From talks about his sexual exploits and subsequent diseases, to gals with sexy names (which inspires a bit on MediCare cards that offers up one of my favourite lines of the entire Comedy Festival), to parents complete lack of knowledge of how the modern world works – Cody manages to keep the laughs coming while staying 100% relatable and likeable.

Nick Cody is – as a friend stated – “the sort of dude that would be good to have a beer and a yarn with”.

I look forward to seeing more of this guy over the next few years – he’s bound to be picked up by commercial TV or radio any minute now.

BUY TICKETS : www.comedyfestival.com.au
WATCH OUT FOR | RATING : 3.5 out of 5

Paul F. Tompkins – Life’s Work

Despite being a bit of a Podcast and comedy nerd – I’m actually disappointed in myself that I had not encountered Paul F. Tompkins work before seeing his show. However, thanks to a hell of a lot of word-of-mouth, I trundled into Tompkins “Life’s Work” with something pretty rare and exciting… no knowledge of what was to come.

First impressions suggest that Paul F. Tompkins is actually the grown up version of Neal Schweiber from Freaks & Geeks, with the sort of rhythms and jaunt that one associates with a dude that’s had the life long dream of being a comedian. It’s for this very reason Tompkins knows exactly how to draw a crowd into his world – it’s in his genes!

While you’ll encounter many comedians “telling stories” this year – it’s very unlikely you’ll encounter a “story teller” as good as Tompkins as he weaves his tale of his journeys through jobs behind retail counters (it plays out like a John Hughes movie), to selling hats, and a wonderful finale which tells of the life a movie star who gets three lines per movie.

There are such wonderful shades of colour and light within the way Tompkins delivers his 60 minute set, with a genuine enthusiasm that is infectious.

You know when you’re at a house party, and occasionally you’ll notice everyone is in another room, crowded around something – which turns out to be a dude telling a energetic story – which everyone keeps cheering and laughing at. Well, guess what, Paul F. Tompkins is what they are all looking at. He controls everyone in the room.

A great show which really grows on you as it progresses and has you wanting to hear more long after he has left the stage.

BUY TICKETS : www.comedyfestival.com.au
WATCH OUT FOR | RATING : 4 out of 5

Charles Barrington – An Audience With Charles Barrington

While there has been plenty of buzz surrounding Bob Franklin’s one-man show involving a “fading old English actor”, spare a thought for the similarly themed (although, slightly less talked about) 2009 RAW Comedy Runner-Up Charles Barrington.

Having seen Barrington perform a few times around Melbourne, I was eagerly looking forward to his 50 minute show. His character is not unlike something you’d expect Will Ferrell to whip out, talking a endless stream of nonsense and absurdity behind the guise of a fool.

It’s a really enjoyable and fun kind of comedy to encounter in a live setting, in that the dialogue is so random and varied each and every audience member will find something different to laugh at. Whether it’s Bee Keeping or an excellent reference to the movie Twister – the gags never land in the same place twice.

Of course, in order for this type of comedy to work, it demands a decent sized crowd so that the laughter dribbles all the way throughout the show. Without it, the show does occasionally struggle. So your best bet is to wrangle up a group of mates, sink a few brews and let Barrington do his thing.

There are plenty of laughs to be had with Charles Barrington, exactly when and where those laughs come is completely up to you – and that’s part of the fun!

BUY TICKETS : www.comedyfestival.com.au
WATCH OUT FOR | RATING : 3 out of 5