Mario Joyner is the first of the high-profile American guests flown in for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Festival Club Series. Kevin Brennan, Al Madrigal and Bo Burnham are all scheduled to appear over the coming weeks. Each American comic is appearing for four nights only as part of the late-night line-up at the festival club at the Hi-Fi Bar.
Joyner has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and has opened for Jerry Seinfeld and more recently Chris Rock, including the Australian leg of the show.
I love that the festival directors have decided to bring in these smooth, experienced comedians. The US comedy circuit and television appearances provide opportunities for comedians that just aren’t available in our smaller Australian market. In the US, working as a professional comedian is not only viable, but can be downright lucrative.
Which makes it such a pity that last night’s crowd at the Hi-Fi was so small. Joyner appeared on stage close to midnight and the room was half-full and pretty docile. Joyner’s started his set so well. He’s slick and polished – in that way that only Americans can be. Mobile phones, air travel, bottled water – sure his topics aren’t new but his delivery is seriously funny. It was late, I was tired – but I could not stop laughing.
Then about halfway through his set Joyner’s material took a slightly different turn. When he started in on dating women half his age and watching porn – well, I just got a bit bored. But this was Joyner’s first night in a half-full but still noisy room (can they please shut that extractor fan the hell up?) and the first night of the Festival Club season. Joyner is bound to deliver three more really great shows to bigger audiences. And what a bonus for comedy festival goers.
Mario Joyner will be appearing at the HIFI Bar until the 5th April, 11:15pm Fri & Sat, 10:15pm Sun. Tickets on the door.