Comedy
by Jacques Barrett and Bryan O’Gorman                                                       Rosie O’Grady’s – Cabaret Bar           February 15

With an overwhelming assortment of two hundred plus comedy shows this Fringe season, it is rather hard to strike gold. Yet one compelling duo, Jacques Barrett (AUS) and Bryan O’Gorman (CAN), delivers gold right off the bat.

Performing a refreshing mix of stand-up comedy that is true to the form, the comedians alternated onstage after ten minutes apiece. And what an hour of non-stop laughter it was: each bit was endlessly punchy; both Barrett and O’Gorman held the audience captivated and furtively hoping that the anecdotes would continue for another hour or so.

Presenting as a “pro-man” Aussie, Barrett (yes, the Jacques you assumed was the Canadian in the bill) disclosed his hipster envy by their ability to pull women with a strategically placed tattoo of a cardigan. O’Gorman kept the ‘girls, girls, girls’ theme rolling with a monologue detailing encounters with a certain German fräulein. Apparently being asked, “would you like a drink” is just as terrifying as, “would you like a blow job” by a hair-raising German. Frightening for O’Gorman, yet side-splittingly funny when recounted to us.

It’s not all about the girls though. The duo also broached semi-political wisecracks, with Barrett highlighting the striking features of Barack Obama to a “black Ken-doll”, while feeling greatly ripped off as an Australian for our great leader looking like a, well…

O’Gorman’s self-proclaimed “skater, stoner accent” made for hilarious contrast to his dead-on imitations. With a ripple of drug jokes strung through, punters will be delighted to walk away with a little ironic historical knowledge.

With fantastic delivery, like an “export quality bogan”, the duo have reinforced the fact that regardless of your neighbourhood or country, good comedy and the laughter it creates is universal. A standout Fringe comedy, that is actual stand-up comedy, a sheer comic delight – I cannot wait for part trois.

Boomerangs and Beavertails – Part Deux runs until Sunday the 22nd of February. You can find tickets via the Fringe World guide here.