Justin Hamilton only had time to do one headline show in Hobart this year, returning after having had such a good time last year at the Festival that he had often mentioned it in his stand up during 2006. Justin was in excellent form and seemed to be enjoying his own work, giggling occasionally. He warmed himself to his Tasmanian audience with observations about his day spent in Hobart and by suggesting that growing up in Adelaide is might be a bit like growing up in Hobart.
The main thing I noticed about Justin’s set is that he has taken quite a bit of his recent material and reworked it adding scope and depth to his entertaining stories. We learned more about his youth in Adelaide, poignant tales about his personal relationships, comedy road trips and his inevitable drug related escapades. We got to hear why Justin doesn’t want children and why everyone should watch The Dukes of Hazzard film, but only from 56 minutes into it, why Hobart, Adelaide and Melbourne should form a triumvirate and more of the japes of Clowny Queen of Bongs. His stories seem to shoot out of him at a rapid pace and he didn’t want to stop, going longer than planned after asking our permission if it was OK. A charming and consummate performer Justin took the audience down unlikely and strange paths but we knew we were in safe hands and enjoyed the ride.
I later learned from Justin that Hobart had enjoyed a taste of his upcoming exciting Moosehead Award winning Trilogy set to premier at The Melbourne Comedy Festival this year. Something to look forward to.