OBSERVER: Comedy Roulette
Hosted by comedian Kru Harale, Comedy Roulette is a fun, mostly improvised piece showcasing seven comedians in one hour.
Each show plays host to a different line up though some artists may be invited back. This is a great way to see a variety of talent in one place.
The format as explained by Harale is for each comedian to perform some of their standup routine then spin an electronic wheel which has various topics they can then speak or tell jokes about, hopefully being funny.
If the topic really did not suit, some would spin again, however most used the topic given, coming up with some very funny stories or gags.
Each performer spun at least three times, sometimes calling on the audience for inspiration.
One topic on the wheel was audience choice; on this night the suggestion from the audience was ‘your worst outfit’ to which comedian Lizzy Hoo weaved a very funny visual of a terrible outfit from her past.
MC Harale had a warm friendly vibe, as did all of the comedians on this night.
For some of the artists this was a chance to promote their own show in the festival. I did wish the wheel was real, not computer generated as this may have allowed for the audience to get more involved by someone having a spin, as well as ensuring where it stopped was not pre-planned, though I think the topics were genuinely a surprise to each performer.
Hats off to all the comedians on this night. As well as Harale and Hoo there was Daniel Connell, He Huang, Nick Capper , Sumukhi Suresh, Jess Fuchs.
All fresh faces, quick witted with something humorous to say.
Comedy Roulette is a definite late night winner in this festival, and with the line up changing each show it is one worth revisiting to see more unique storytelling or stand up routines.
Performance Season: Until April 18 at 10.20pm
Venue: Melbourne Town Hall Lunch Room
Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au
Review by Elizabeth Semmel