More and more comedy...

FEAR OF A BROWN PLANET
Having previously seen this show in last year's Fringe, I was curious to see it for a second time, particularly as the weakest of the three young Muslim comics in the show wasn't part of its new incarnation. As I suspected, Nazeem Hussein is still fairly funny, though never completely hilarious, and the wonderfully edgy Aamer Rahman is still the standout of the show. Solid laughs exploring racism and Islamaphobia from a firsthand perspective. Bloody funny, but not a work of genius.
Three and a half chortles out of five.


ANYONE FOR TENNIS? Take Your Time
When this show started I thought, 'god it's going to be awful', but within five minutes these two likeable young comedians, Jase and Doody, had me happily ensconced in their haphazard, amateurish yet charming world. A ludicrous story about killing Time is the McGuffin which underpins their act, which essentially consists of a series of comedic songs linked by a few gags. The show could be tighter, admittedly, but it was still fun, with plenty of raw charm and appeal. Definitely two musical comedians to watch.
Two and a half giggles out of five.


PIG ISLAND in Simply Fancy
Before your eyes, these three Sydney performers create a magical and marvellous world that evokes such films as The Dark Crystal and Labryinth, despite an almost total lack of props and no set save for a bare stage. An inspired piece of surreal theatrical lunacy that you simply must see (especially if you're over stand-up comedy) from the creators of last year's sleeper hit, The Glass Boat. Unlike that show, which was left-of-centre sketch comedy, Simply Fancy is much more traditional in terms of its narrative approach, but it's still completely out there. Without doubt one of the best productions I've seen in the festival this year. See this show or your head will explode!
Four astonished shrieks of delighted laughter.


DAVE HUGHES is Cranky
From the sublime to the ridiculous. Boring bogan humour that works for the crowd it's aimed at but which left me utterly cold. So much so, in fact, that I walked out - the only show of the whole festival I haven't stuck out.
One and a half bored yawns out of five.


KRISTEN SCHAAL as you've probably never seen her before
Gentle, delirious, silly fun that's certainly not to everyone's taste, but which had my girlfriend Sam and I clutching each other and shrieking with mirth. From jokes about werewolves on the moon and alcoholic birds, to an obvious love of historical innacuracy, Schaal is the sort of performer for whom the word whimsical was invented. Less stand up, more roll around hooting with mirth like a drunken gibbon. Simple, charming, and an absolute delight.
Four crazed cackles out of five.


ROB HUNTER is Shoes?
More good chortle material from this up and coming Adelaide comedian, whose act wasn't always quite as sharp as it needed to be, but whose material was nonetheless consistently entertaining. An extended sequence of surreal thoughts set to music was probably the highlight, although a couple of unexpected appearances from special guests were also good fun.
Three consistent giggles out of five.