Sammy J & Randy in Bin Night @ Metro Theatre - 30 April & 1 May 2011

Sammy J & Randy in Bin Night
Metro Theatre
30 April 2011
Friends: Christina Lindop


After seeing Ricketts Lane at the Opera House 3 times in a row I obviously jumped at the chance to see the latest show from one of my favourite comedy duos, Sammy J and Randy; this time in Bin Night.

When Sammy J & Randy discover somebody dumping trash in their rubbish bin, they arrange an over-night stake-out to catch the culprit. But when their surveillance operation takes an unfortunate turn, they're forced to confront some painful questions - with only seven hours before sunrise to find some answers. Why has Sammy been blacklisted by the emergency services? Whatever happened to Randy's globe-trotting girlfriend? And what exactly are they hiding in their own rubbish bags? - SCF

The thing with buying tickets months in advance, your excitement level grows with each passing day and by the time Saturday arrived I was beyond happy and giddy. I really, really loved Ricketts Lane and couldn't wait to see Bin Night. 


Definitely. Wasn't. Disappointed.


So, so, so funny and hilarious. And genius. And nerdy. And love. I've viewed Sammy and Heath's shows with little preconceptions of what the show will actually be about; obviously what the show is based around, but never any of the hilarious tangents and sub-plots within the story. It's refreshing to see a show and not know any of the jokes or songs (well except one without context). It makes the show even funnier and even more enjoyable. This case being no exception (apart from previously mentioned spoiler).


My favourite, and probably the rest of the audience, parts of their shows have to go to the improv pieces created by forgetting a line or not hitting a cue. Instead of trying to cover up the mistake, the two point out and further the joke created and make them into an entire new scene. 


Sammy announced that he and Heath (Randy) would be signing merch out the front after the show, which meant literally the entire audience seemed to stay behind for chats, signatures and photos. Of course we didn't mind. As per usual we lurked at the back, clutching almost every possible piece of merchandise in hand waiting for our turn. The results as follows:

Randy face + Sammy juicebox

"Thank you for buying my CD! ♥ Sammy J (juicebox)"

A theme emerges: "Thank you for buying my DVD! And my CD! ♥ Sammy J (juicebox)"

"Thank you for buying my DVD! And my other DVD! And my CD!! ♥ Sammy J (juicebox)"

Whilst chatting after the show I mentioned that I was really hoping that I could see the show again the next night. It was so brilliant I'm sure I could figure some way of achieving this goal. At this point Sammy says, "Two seconds..." and quickly goes off. He came back a few seconds later and said, "There'll be two tickets on the door for you tomorrow." Me: "Thank you so much!" On the inside: "AHAIDIYTWYETNDFSDBSDFISDOFBYSDOF!!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Ahem. Pretty much. Sammy is, like so many comedians, genuinely nice and always lovely. So you can guess that I was absolutely stoked to see it all over again the next night. 

Absolutely fabulous night furthered by staying in the city with Tina and watching The Inbetweeners till late. Brilliant. 

Sammy J & Randy in Bin Night

Metro Theatre

1 May 2011

Friends: Caitlin Fitz-Henry 

This viewing of Bin Night was just as exceptional. Made special by seeing it with one of my regular comedy buddies Cat. Again, hilarious, nerdy, dramatic: exceptional. Improv pieces again a highlight and it occurred to me during this viewing that it is a nice change to see more of actual Heath in the show. 

I successfully indoctrinated a new Sammy J & Randy fan and she bought be a Rib Cage and Felt face t-shirt. Fair trade I thought. :D More chats, signatures (keeping with the tradition of getting everything signed) and photos. Another ace night! 

Bunny ears!

On this night I also nicked Sammy' J & Randy and Mark Watson's posters from the foyer, but shh! Don't tell anyone. :D

I've been really lucky this Comedy Festival. I got to see 6 shows, only paid for 2 and met every single one of the comics after the show. Solid basis to improve on for next years Sydney Comedy Festival. Perhaps by next year I'll have a job and be able to afford to go to every show that I wanted this year. 

Mark Watson @ Seymour Centre, York Theatre - 28 April 2011

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: This man is the greatest person ever. After being completely devastated thinking about the very likely possibility that I wouldn’t be able to see Mark this year, ruining the streak of seeing him live since ‘07, he does this to make be deliriously happy. He’s very kind to his loyal fans.

I should have been terribly drowsy all day due to pulling an all-nighter to complete uni assignments like any good student does, but I was naturally buzzing for the show. I knew I had to get there early/on time to see the pre-show entertainment, but that was always going to happen.One of the best ‘start’ to a show I’d ever been to. Just Mark, laptop, projector and screen; observing the crowd as they entered the theatre and projecting his thoughts up for all the audience to see. The audience just loved it!

Thoroughly entertaining.

• Another bald. RUN! RUN!! 

I don’t know whether it was because it was the last show of the tour, but Mark’s show was so energetic!! Facial expressions, shouting, smiling smiling! Mark particulaurly giddy and excludable - the best kind of Mark. It was probably my favourite of the four shows I’d seen. Mark’s got such a likable way about him - you just want to give him a cuddle.

Highlights:

• Computer + screen (see previous) 
• AND THERE WASN’T EVEN A KANGAROO! (cue thunderous laughter and applause) 
• BOO! 
• I’m a monster! I’m gonna getcha! 
• Chasing people in the street. 
• NO! (complete with appropriate ‘stop’ hand gesture) 
• Minge of steel.

I shyly waited by myself at the end of the book signing line, copy of Eleven already in hand, wondering whether or not Mark will remember me without my usual comedy buddy (number 1 fan) with me.

My turn: “Hey Hannah!”

How could I have been so worried? Signing, photos, and waited till everyone had left for a private chat. Mark was kind enough to chat to me for about 10 minutes alone. We reminisced about previous shows and the style and size of the shows in comparison to tonight. He is too kind and I couldn’t have thanked him enough.

“Free tickets for life” means the conversation went well, yeah? ;D

thank you! love Mark x

Scared Weird Little Guys: "Enough Already' - Enmore Theatre, Sydney. 17 April 2011.

‘Enough Already’ - Farewell Tour
Enmore Theatre
17th April 2011
Friends: Danii Johnstone.

How had I not gone to one of their shows previously? The Scardies were ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS! There wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t smiling or laughing madly!

Winning complimentary tickets I was so happy to finally be able to see the Scardies in action. And our seats were pretty good for freebies, row O in the stalls; and further improved by having the seat in front remain empty for the entire show - clear view enjoyment!

‘Enough Already’ was a best of show and everything and everything truly was the best! The show and the songs instantly reminded me of when I was a little kid and cackling along to their jokes and reciting every song. Ah, the glorious memories.

John and Rusty are an amazing duo. Everything John does makes me smile - facial expressions, dancing, giggling; ahhh just so funny. Not to say Rusty isn’t as hilarious - the Country routine had the audience in absolute stitches, and when he slipped up he’d laugh at himself - just adorable.

Highlights:

• Phonebook: will always be my favourite (Philipopopopopopopopopopopopolous! :D) 
• Alternating song: true genius. I instantly knew all the words even though I have listened to the sings in years and years and was singing along in my head.
• Our side winning the 8-Person Bell Band guessing competition.

Being the Farewell Tour, Rusty and John stayed behind and signed the merch. But not just sign behind a table, but personal signings and tiny-mini chats and photos. They were out in the foyer in a flash and it seemed like everyone had stayed behind. We got in quite quickly at the start and were able to get signings and photos and head off, but it seemed as if they were prepared to stay to do the same for everyone - true gentlemen.

For one (pretty much) life long fan, the show and night was perfect. As Danii said, the only thing I didn’t like about the show is that this is the last one and I won’t be able to see another.

YASS!

Greg Proops: Live - Enmore Theatre, Sydney. 16 April 2011.

Greg Proops: Live
Enmore Theatre
16 April 2011
Friends: Jessica Hawken

Ever since I saw Greg Proops' stand-up (probably on one of the Montreal Comedy Festival Galas some years ago), I've always said: "I NEED TO SEE HIM LIVE!" But alas, the same old dilemma presented itself any time Greg was in Sydney: Hannah is broke and cannot buy anything. This situation was made redundant however by A-List Entertainment giving me some free tickets I won in a competition. RESULT!

The night was absolutely hilarious before the show even started, as I went with a friend who I absolutely love and we were finally able to get together and discuss AVPM in detail whilst listening to the soundtrack in the car on the way to the Enmore. Can you think of a better way to spend the majority of 2 hours? I can't. Pure joy.

For complimentary tickets, our seats were pretty good! Even though they were row S in the stalls, the Enmore Theatre yet again ceases to amaze.

And now of course, Proopsy. Just amazing! Even though some material I had watched/heard before it was excellent to see live and was still hilarious. "Oh, surely there'll be a shop open" gets me every time. Proops is a master of the English language and I particularly reveled in his eloquent display of our fine language. Exemplary show. Brilliant comic.

Of course we did the whole, going to the stage door, waiting in the cold in the hope of meeting the great man himself. Somehow just waiting around always brings some hilarious conversations; furthered by meeting fellow fans and amusing each other. Greg did eventually come out and greet everyone and was generous enough to give us some of his time in the Sydney cold. So very kind and humble and nice and awesome and superfluous. Photos were taken, chats exchanged; excellent way to end the show.

Topping off the evening featured pizza, hilarious chats and getting temporarily lost whilst going in the right direction. I hope more nights will be like this in the future.

Ross Noble - 'Things' @ The Enmore Theatre 5/5/10

 You pretty much have guaranteed laughter when you book a ticket to Ross Noble. Although I had front row tickets staring at me on screen, I still don't have a credit/mastercard, which meant I had to book in person. I also didn't have enough cash to buy 6 tickets; so called upon the assistance *cough*bankaccount*cough* of mum, who (reluctantly) agreed to pay for the tickets. We ended up with row G, and I thought, 7 rows might be a bit far back; but once again the Enmore proved to be the deceptive one, and we had a great view.

The first thing to notice, however, was the inflatable stage set. I had completely forgotten about the new sets for every tour. And this was a nice (is nice the right word?) surprise:

To me it looked like a hybrid Pokemon. We were laughing before Ross even took the stage. Usually a good sign for a great night.

And fantastic night it was! Every single thing Ross says makes your cheeks ache. Half, well all, really, is just silly ramblings. There doesn't even have to be a point and yet Ross seems to cast an instant laughter spell across the audience. 2 hours of just silly fun. And that is what I love about his shows.

Sadly I didn't have enough time to make something to leave on stage in the interval. Last time I made this:

So instead I left (to accompany the same slogan and Gandalf and Frodo figures, which, normally would perform a karate chop action, however when interpreted in a sexual manner has a very different connotation, doesn't matter...) a note with, "Taste the cuteness. *whale picture* <- cute. ♥ from your felt doll replica making friend Hannah. x"

We thought 'Taste the cuteness' (schoolies slogan, long story) would just be random as it had nothing to do with Ross' show - yet sort of fitted in somehow. I thought it was pretty cool that Ross remembered who I was from when I left the felt doll.

After the show we (staggered) out as quickly as we could to try and meet Ross at the stage door. It was only about 5 minutes from the time the show ended to the time we could get out through the crowd out of the theatre to the stage door. We waited for about 30mins-1hr. It wasn't until a staff member closed the roller door, most likely signaling that no-one would be coming out, that we realised that we must have missed Ross. It was freezing but we had fun with random photos - the end result being:

So not too bad. Still a shame we didn't get to meet Ross. Maybe next time - because clearly we have to see him every time he's touring. Clearly.

To borrow a segment from Simone at Sycophant., which I strongly urge you to check out:

A thought.

Comedy shows and outings are a lot more fun when combined with drinking.

Trio of Laughs 29/4/10

#1. Comedy Festival Showcase
#2. David O'Doherty
#3. Die Roten Punkte

#1. Arriving a bit early, I went to book tickets for Die Roten Punkte, where I was greeted at the front door of The Metro with the offer of free tickets to the Comedy Festival Showcase and of course I said yes. Michael Chamberlin was MC; quite humorous throughout. About 6 or 7 comics for the night, however 2 did stand out.

I can't think of his name (and can't seem to locate him online), but we'll came him Impressions Guy. Impressions Guy was great! All of his impressions were spot on, and rifled through 25 in quick succession, instantly changing characters - too good.

My favourite comic however was 19 year-old Scotsman Daniel Sloss, who told a story about the confusion between the Dad sex talk and shaving talk, thinking one was the other - you get the picture. Side-splittingly funny. The 19 year old certainly held his own against the older comics, surpassing most with his observational humor. Just excellent. And I can't go past a Scottish accent too.

Tony Woods & Die Roten Punkte 28/4/10

On Tuesday I found out that I won tickets to Tony Woods at the Comedy Store. Being on such short notice, it was very unlikely that someone else could join me, so I would venture out on my own. I don't mind, too much. It does get a bit lonely, especially traveling and waiting for the shows, but I couldn't pass up free tickets. Plus I wanted to book tickets to see David O'Doherty for the next day, who I've really been wanting to see for ages, so I was definitely decided on going.

After accessing McDonald's free wifi (absolute gold), I received confirmation that I had also won tickets to Die Roten Punkte for that night. I was ecstatic when I got the email. Two comedy shows in one night. And free at that. Score.

In order to save cash, I decided to walk to the Comedy Store. Google Maps told me it was 3.2km from Town Hall. My TYSIC mind kicked in and put any thoughts of catching a taxi to rest. 3.2km, not much, plus the exercise is always beneficial. On second thoughts, after reaching the Comedy Store, it was quite long (seeming even longer as I was constantly looking out for road signs to find my way there instead of already knowing where to go and just walking, leaving the issue of time and distance out of the equation), and mostly on a slope - but not too bad in the end.

50 minutes of solid walking later and I was waiting inside, seated to see Tony Woods. I had only seen him on Good News Week and had looked up a couple of his YouTube videos, but liked his humor, so was pleasantly keen.