Upfront 12
In it’s twelfth year, Upfront is a celebration of, as well as a showcase for, female comedic talent in Australia. Always boasting a huge line up, it has always played to a huge and appreciative audience of both genders.
On a stage that had a bit of a Greek Goddess flavor to it (complete with an elaborate arch), the Tivoli Lovelies kicked off the show with an outstanding tap routine. After all these years, they have still got it! Ethel Chop appeared as the Lovelies departed the stage, cursed them for not waiting for her and dejectedly shuffled off.
The stalwart of Melbourne comedy, Rachel Berger hosted the evening’s proceedings. Rachel did a brilliant job of warming us up and padding while the roadies did their thing. We got a wide range of Rachel’s views of the world that kept us laughing, along with a couple of hints at her political leanings.
Kicking things off was Tanya Losanno who did some bits from her festival show about her parents. This self proclaimed “Bogan Wog with Hippy tendencies” kept the crowd amused.
Geraldine Hickey hit the stage and did some of her solid material and in a tenuous link to her Torres Strait Islander bit, mimed to the song “My Island Home”.
One of the bad girls of comedy, Christine Basil treated us to a superb set mainly about her family. With her parents actually sitting in front of me, it made things slightly uncomfortable as Christine ripped into them with her caustic wit. Thankfully the Basil clan appeared to be having a whale of a time through it all.
Ethel Chop returned to the stage and let us have a piece of her mind. She told us of her bewilderment about some women’s problems with their anatomy and about her Judy Garland obsessed son. With a farewell of “goodnight you freaks” she stumbled off the stage.
In a piece that was borderline patronizing yet somehow uplifting, Jo Randerson performed as a blind singer named “White Diamond”. With the expected fumbling around, wandering around to the brink of disaster and often facing the wrong direction, she belted out a song about overcoming her obstacles.
“Big Old Lezzo” “Sue Ann Post”comic described her recent experimentation into polygamy including the sensational tale of her conversation with a curious taxi driver. To silence the doubters, Posty even invited Anthea and their new friend onto the stage for little bit pashing.
Taking a break from her busy food van, Monica Dullard graced the Upfront stage and provided some health information about incontinence on behalf of the Health Minister. Armed with an incontinence pad in one hand and a netball in the other, she then regaled us with a riotous story of an unfortunate incident about said pad during a match.
Rounding out the first half was Fiona O’Loughlin with a brilliant story about a family trip to Dreamworld. She vividly illustrated her daughter’s tantrums with some phenomenal thrashing about on the floor.
Last year’s best newcomer, Christina Adams delighted the crowd with the story about her first day of teaching. Complete with some great vocal characterizations depicting the students, it was a brilliant tale.
Nelly Thomas told us about her job as a nanny which led seamlessly into some gear about the TV show “The Biggest Loser”. Delivered with consummate ease, it provided further proof that Nelly will knock them dead when she heads to Edinburgh this year.
Now claimed as our own (like we do with all successful Kiwis!) Cal Wilson recounted stories of her cats and her new found love for AFL. Many laughs were forthcoming from the crowd for the Comedy Pixie!
Terri Psiakis presented a great set that described her show last year “Available” and it’s aftermath.
Now a genuine household name, Corinne Grant entertained us with a great set. Despite the threat of some accidental mucus action for the front rows, Corrine kept her saliva in check kept the audience chuckling.
Raw Comedy finalist Selina Jenkins, hit the stage as her character “Beau Heartbreaker”. After some banter about being a ladies/lady man, “he” broke out his guitar and sang a song about his failings as a fella.
In a personal highlight, the ladies from D-Cuppetry burst onto the stage. After getting the crowd riled up with the chanting of “Show us your tits”, they launched into a strip tease to the theme from Wonder Woman. Ending prematurely with a black out, they did a clever headlights gag before finally disrobing. We witnessed two tricks, “The Donuts” and the brilliantly executed “Bunny in the headlights”. I must squeeze in their show before the end of the festival! (no pun intended)
Wrapping up the evening’s entertainment was everybody’s favorite sibling act, The Kransky Sisters. Despite a small technical hitch with the guitar, they launched into their classic rendition of “Highway To Hell”, all the while maintaining character. The Tivoli Lovelies’ chorus line joined them on the stage as the song reached its’ crescendo.
With the Tivoli Lovelies escorting each of the performers back on stage to the rapturous applause of the audience. Everyone left the Main Hall knowing that they had just witnessed a show that featured the crème de la crème of female talent. It was obvious to all that there is way more to comedy than blokes standing on stage, harping on about their knobs.