Dave Bushell is a manic little red ball of energy, a collapsed comedy star gone supernova, like the love child of Dylan Moran and a ginger Tasmanian devil. Let the Kid Go is an errant vehicle for Bushell to drive along the tumultuous streets of his mind like a third world tour bus operator. He is a man on a mission to ‘embrace life’ and if he can’t embrace it he will at the very least grab life by the ears and lick its’ face.

Working twin narratives of living a full life and winning back his girl, Bushell spins tales of travel and lost ardour. He laments his lot to a Spanish mountain and gambles the fate of his love on a game show, intertwining jokes and voyages of fantasy into his stories with confidence and ease. As a performer, Bushell takes to the spotlight with joy, at home with the mic in his hand he seems to inhale adrenalin and exhale jokes. No props, no high concept set-up, no help from the A.V. department, just a man and a microphone making the crowd laugh. More local comics should be like this.

Demonstrating belief in his material and assurance of delivery, Bushell sets the audience at ease from the get go, which in turn enables the audience to give themselves over to the comedian, no matter where his flights may takes them. Bold, frenetic and hilarious, Dave Bushell is a must see of the Comedy@Trades lineup this year.

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