Another day, another opportunity for me to feel ripped off as I stay home rugged up in quilts while our team brave the cold to see more shows.  While my friends and co-workers are having a night out at Trades Hall seeing a bundle of shows (they’ve already called to share how great their first show,  Tale of the Golden Lease was), including Lawrence and Andy’s Time Ninjas, which I’ve been hanging out for, I’ll share my rather quiet night with you.
Last night I attempted to re-join the living for …

It’s been eerily quiet over here in the editor’s corner, and for that I apologise. I’ve been struck with the dreaded Festival Flu, which has provided no mirth but plenty of misery. I’ve missed out on a heap of shows I was really looking forward to, and after a brief re-emergence from sick-den Sunday night to see Mark Watson I’m now feeling sorrier for myself than ever. There’s so much I want to write, including a response to the interesting article in today’s edition of The Age, …

Another night at the MTH hub – that’s three in a row – and yet again the horrid weather hasn’t kept the crowds away.  Last night was a brief but enjoyable one with Club XX at Bar Open, a quick bite to eat then in to see Sammy J at MTH.  Unfortunately I’d got my wires crossed and didn’t have tickets to Sammy J at all, so I’ll be planning to head to his show later in the week, but that left an enjoyable evening of Mike Wilmot and Ali …

Friday night madness at the Melbourne Town Hall.  There are people everywhere, which is awesome to see considering the massive thunderstorms outside earlier.  Just seen my first show for the night, Mamafied, in the Council Chambers.  They should really stop using that space.  Awesome as it is, what with the ornate chairs, gorgeous walls and impressive size, it does performers no justice.  This is the third or fourth show I’ve seen in there when there is a mid-sized audience attending which is completely dwarfed by the space, and as such lacks atmosphere.
Meanwhile, …

Two nights in, and it’s clear that this festival is shaping up nicely.  There are some great concepts on paper, and plenty of shows I’m quite intrigued by.  First official show of the festival, Celia Pacquola, was a good one to start with.  Having performed the show at festivals previous to this one, Pacquola appeared comfortable and well prepared.  Her audience was nearly full, with quite a few familiar comedy faces, including Daniel Kitson and the show’s director, Geraldine Hickey.  We weren’t the only reviewers in the crowd, so it …