About 10 years ago Rod Quantock found his house style and since then he’s stuck to it – a white board, a table and chair, a pile of papers and political comment. Strangely this has turned out to be endearing rather than tired, and by any measure Quantock is one of Australia’s best performers.

One of the only comedians still working from the first comedy festival, twenty years ago, he has an effortless, affable style that makes the evening seem less like a gig and more like a chat with an old friend. He’s also one of the only comedians around who can talk about current affairs in an informed and intelligent manner, which is a refreshing change in the largely apolitical world of comedy.

There is, however, a noticeable edge to this year’s show, as Quantock can’t hide his revulsion at the Prime Minister and the policies that are dividing this country. ‘There’s no real end to tonight’s show,’ warns Quantock. ‘It just resolves itself into a morass of despair.’ Quantock has always been a lefty ratbag, but we’ve never seen him quite so angry’he even uses the ‘c’ word on stage, for the first time in 30 years of performing. He still finds the comedy in the situation, and the show is very funny, but there’s darkness lurking around the edges.

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