Thank goodness these comedians were at least good enough to draw our attention away from the glittering curtains and lights that are the Comic’s Lounge. They shared with us material and personalities that would have made any venue feel comfortable and bright. In short, they were quite exceptional.

MC John Burgos gently dictated the comic mood of the evening, with his smooth delivery and unapologetically rapid pace. This was crucial, considering the length of the show; kind of like a comedy value meal deal, and definitely worth the upgrade.

The first thing that struck me about Gabriel Rossi’s Gift of the Gab was his refreshing approach to suburban humour. We’ve heard the Frankston jokes a thousand times, but Rossi managed to balance these laughs with a more universal comic through line, which, given the nature of the festival, was much appreciated. He relied unashamedly on cultural stereotypes (including his own) that, though tiring at times, still managed to stay unpredictable enough to catch the audience off guard.

I was initially hesitant about the order in which the show’s two comedians appeared, but as the audience became progressively intoxicated, the mood shift brought about by Chris Bennett’s work proved perfectly timed. Appropriately coined Straight Up, Bennett, in a word, had nothing. But for someone with nothing, his insulting, offensive, and ultimately charming banter smacked of intelligence and wit.

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable night of comedy. But a word of warning: make sure you’re not relying on the last train home.

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