Last year I loved Daniel Townes’ show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, tucked away in a wee-scented room not much larger than a linen closet, at The Portland Hotel. He was relaxed, funny and had a natural warm relationship with the audience that would see him strike up a conversation and lead him off the path into some great spontaneous territory.
This year Townes has moved up and into the larger room at The Portland, a room he should easily be filling. Last night audience members were a bit thin on the ground and it seemed to throw Townes off his game a little. I don’t think it was just the stage lights that kept Townes from making eye contact with the punters. His usual knockabout demeanour seemed slightly shaken.
Townes has lots of great material about the bad choices he has made in his life. A former swimmer who showed real promise, he gave it all away to pursue other endeavours such as sucking back half a litre of Bulgarian home-brew at recess, getting in serious trouble in Johannesburg and his tale of getting arrested for possession of a measly amount of dope.
Townes mentioned he wanted to focus on more story-telling, rather than jokes, and had a set-list of 12 stories to work from. He only got through a couple the night before and again he only managed three last night. But this is a Melbourne International Comedy Festival show and even in the early stages the audience expect a polished set. Townes is reminiscent of a young Dave Hughes: self-deprecating, naturally funny and able to hold our attention with a meandering story – but last night’s show was clearly not his best. He has buckets of potential to be the thinking woman’s bogan and works better with a bigger audience. If he irons out his creases, tightens up his material and relaxes more he’ll really kick it and I hope he does.
View the comedy festival website for bookings and further details