Letting three comedians loose in the Melbourne Museum may seem like trouble on paper but the Comedic Museum Tour was a wonderful way to see the institution, whether you have never been before or are a regular visitor.
All three comedian guides had different approaches to how they conducted the tour, having the wonderful effect of seeing the exhibits through their eyes rather than a museum endorsed script. The museum guides who accompanied each ground, mainly to perform wrangling duties and keep an eye on the clock, did their best to blend into the background did occasionally raise an interesting fact that the performer could use in their presentation.
Tommy Dean led us through the Human Body part of the museum and had a very haphazard method of conducting his tour. His presentation was light on facts but he kept the laughs flowing with many amusing comments about the items on display. He encouraged us to have a go at some of the operational interactive items and happily demonstrated them to us. It had the feel of letting a hyperactive kid loose in museum, but with more drug references and base humour.
Ben McKenzie had the most structured performance of the three as he took us through some of the evolution and dinosaur displays. His fact filled comic lecture informed and entertained as well as providing insight into his own interest in the topic. He was able to take in the odd question and comment and use it to create some jokes, but for the most part he stuck to the script.
Sue Ann Post was our guide through the newly opened Melbourne Story exhibit that contained many interesting items from Melbourne’s past. Hers was the most personal of the tours as she allowed us to explore it on the basis of her love of the city. She was able to tell of her move from Sydney as well as a brief account of her relatives emigration from Holland. Combining some researched facts about some of the items on display and Melbourne in general, Sue Ann told some delightful tales in her uniquely passionate yet easygoing manner.
A roster of performers including Bec Hill and Kent Valentine will be showing punters through the exhibits as the season progresses, taking in different parts of the venue.
The tour was informative and greatly entertaining. It was the perfect way to stir your interest in the museum and encourage you to visit soon on your own.
Visit the comedy festival website for bookings and further details