Joanne O’Callaghan has found some amazing things in old coat pockets. In fact, she’s found some amazing things, full stop. Which is just what you’d expect from someone who spends her days running tours of Melbourne’s best op shops.
The four-hour tour can change each show, but this time it started with Savers, then visited three other op shops. There’s also a chance to hit some of the more up-market vintage stores nearby if you’re quick. Games like ‘Bargain Bonanza’, where shoppers show off their great finds, and the competition to buy the best tie for the bus driver, fill in the driving time between shops.
The host (or performer, if you will) Jo is warm, bubbly, sparkling. To open the tour, she belts out a spot-on rendition of ‘History Repeating’. Singing on a lurching bus takes guts, but her energy, enthusiasm, and incredible voice got her a thunderous round of applause.
To fill in the bus time, and make the tour a recognisable comedy event, Jo invited some comedians along to tell jokes and plug their own shows.
Ben Darsow was a hit, and got some big laughs from the shoppers. He joked that doing stand-up on a bus made him feel a bit like the crazy guy who talks on public transport. Hilarious and self-deprecating, he managed to make his habit of turning down the car radio in order to see better into comedy gold.
Kat and Jane of A Stitch In Time proved an apt choice, explaining that their show was all about the history of fashion. Although some of their jokes fell a little flat, they picked up when Jo interviewed them about their own op-shopping experiences.
Sure, this is a comedy-plus version of a shopping tour, but here’s a word of warning. The difference between this tour and a regular comedy festival show is kind of like the difference between a video game and a film. Don’t expect to sit still and be entertained for four hours. Much like a game, Jo provides the world, punters play their way through.
But it works. If you hate op-shopping, you probably don’t need me to tell you to steer clear. But if you love it, or want to try it out for the first time, this is definitely for you. Same thing if you want to see a comedy festival show with a difference.
You’re sure to find a hidden gem, either in the form of a guest comedian, a treasure-filled shop, or a coat with surprises in the pockets.
For booking details go to Op Shop Tour