Comedy @ ETs, also known as Et’s Comedy Bight, has been running weekly at Ets Hotel in Prahran since November 2009. It currently has Yiannis Koullas at the helm who certainly treats it as a labour of love. He handles all aspects of the room’s running; multi-tasking between booking the room, advertising, working the door and operating the sound and lights.
This room takes place upstairs in the small function room. Although it is disappointing that the comedy has been relegated to the furthest corner of the venue, this set up is necessary for collecting the door charge as the rest of the pub is a modern open plan venue that has a sport bar feel. It is in this world that comedy is allowed to thrive in isolation from the regular bar-flys, pool players and diners with little interest in stand up.
Yiannis has done a brilliant job in setting up a room for comedy in a space that would normally only host entertainment such as a mobile DJ. There isn’t a stage for the performers to step onto but the intimate size of the room doesn’t require one. Instead the comics perform to the punters from a carpeted area of the room that is well lit. This is achieved by using a carefully placed flood lamp and a large desk lamp. The performers weren’t peering into glaring stage lights so they appeared to be able to see the audience, but there are some shadowy corners at the back of the room in which shy punters can hide. A medium sized PA system ensures that the comics can be clearly heard without being overpowering. Rows of seating are placed before the ‘stage’ which are mostly of the ottoman variety. Those requiring the back support of a stacking chair need to brave the front two rows.
The show is structured as a single bracket of five to seven performers. Other than the headliner and MC, each is given five minutes which is strictly adhered to, with Yiannis flashing a light to indicate when they are nearing the end. This format almost gave the show the feel of a Raw Comedy heat, but the comics didn’t try to buck the system by squeezing out more time than they were entitled to. It certainly helped keep the show moving along at a swift pace and lack of interval kept up the momentum of the laughter.
Comics appearing at this room have mainly been the mid range performers of the Melbourne scene with the odd bigger name popping up as either MC or Headliner. Along with a number newer faces in the line ups, each show has provided a solid couple of hours of entertainment and a great way to spend a Thursday evening.
Comedy @ Ets happens every Thursday at Ets Hotel (211 High St, Prahran). Doors open at 8pm, the show starts at 8:30 and entry is $5. Befriend them on Facebook to keep abreast of all the news and line ups.