Twenty year old Tom Ballard promises his audiences two things in Cogito Ergo Some Funny: an hour of jokes unfettered by an over-arching narrative, and an account of the worst thing he ever did. The recipient of the Best Newcomer Award at last year’s festival, Ballard delivers admirably on both counts.
Cogito Ergo Some Funny is a reworked, retitled version of his 2009 Melbourne Fringe show, and opens with a spectacular, high energy routine. Thereafter Ballard launches into a series of unconnected jokes exploring religion, racism and sexual orientation, as well as lighter material about Facebook, iPhones and masturbation.
An accomplished comic at a relatively young age, Ballard sometimes seems defensive when gags fail to get the laughs he thinks they deserve; and some material that was fresh at Fringe, such as a routine about Melbourne’s Southern Star Observation Wheel, feels slightly dated. Nonetheless, Ballard’s frankness, wit and fresh perspective ensure abundant laughs and gasps.
Three and a half stars
Arthur’s Bar at Rosati,
Until April 18
Tue-Sat 7.15pm, Sun 6.15pm
$19.90 - $24.90
This review originally appeared in The Age on Thursday April 8.
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