Like most Australians my knowledge of Brendon Burns was limited to his appearance on Spicks and Specks in 2008, his 90 second Gala spot and a couple of radio interviews. In 2007 he won the if.comedy award for his Edinburgh show “So I Suppose THIS is offensive now” but this is his first appearance back in Australia after many years living and working in the UK.
I’m not going to lie – I went into this show thinking I’d be writing a review something like this:
Brendon Burns has spend the last 10 years living in the UK – and they can have him!
Or perhaps:
How would you like your comedy today Madam?
I think I’ll have it offensive, hectoring and on the highest possible volume.
Well, you’ll love this Brendon Burns we prepared earlier.
But I’ve had to suck it up – not only was Burns’ material really good, but I actually really liked him as well.
The bits and pieces I’d seen of Burns painted a picture of a loud-mouth bogan, relying on shock and lacking in substance. But full-length Burns is anything but that. OK, he is loud; delivering his routine at 11, but his comedy is challenging and thought-provoking. He tackles taboo topics such as racism and sex offences with such audacity and intelligence that you will find yourself not only laughing but thinking as well.
Burns also harasses the audience after each daring joke by screaming “Go on, take it, take it” – which sounds annoying but somehow makes him all the more endearing.
His diatribe on AFL footballers and their sexual antics was some of the best social commentary I’ve heard. But Burns won’t be for everyone – he works blue and there’s plenty who will find him distasteful. I don’t know why Burns isn’t performing his if.comedy award winning show – perhaps the material is no longer relevant? And surprisingly there’s no overarching theme to the show, Burns appears to be drawing from his comprehensive back catalogue to fill out the hour, testing what works with the crowd – which made it a slightly patchy affair the night I saw him.
If like me, you thought he wasn’t for you, it might be worth thinking again. He’s brash, he’s shocking and he’s ours – Brendon Burns, welcome home.
For more info and booking details go to Brendon Burns Returns