| Two word review: Honest comedy Hugs achieved: x 3 Comedians are people too and the comedy at the Rochester (located at 202 Johnston Street, Fitzroy) helps you connect with them. The Rochester is a great venue to bring your friends to have a couple of beverages, maybe some food and then once you’re finished, stroll upstairs for quality comedy. If you can be pulled away from the three open fireplaces, the great selection of beers and the faux SHARK HEAD ON THE WALL downstairs at the Rochester, there is much joy to be had with the comedy on Thursday nights upstairs. |  |
 | Similar to Comedy @ Spleen on Monday nights, this is a donation affair – you pay with the cash you have (preferably notes but coinage will do – a $5’er from me was all I could pull together). One thing Comedy at the Rochester has over Spleen…. FREE POPCORN! The venue is small but suits close and personal comedy. There are no bad seats and there is easy access to the bar (if that’s your style). And in case you can’t make it all the way to Fitzroy by public transport, it is a $6 Uber from the CBD, so you’ve got no excuses! Now, as always, onto the comedy featuring a couple of highlights of the night at Rochester Comedy on 16 June. |
Our MC for the night, comedy lover and all round good-guy Ivan Aristeguieta was an excellent host. It is Ivan’s passion for comedy and his appreciation of good people and food, which makes him a warm and approachable MC but also, it gives his comedy authenticity. Having only chatted with him briefly, you get the sense that Ivan genuinely wants an audience to feel and enjoy the comedy at hand. It was a pleasure to meet him and I recommend you try and catch his live gig on 2 July if you’re keen to check him out. Also, most importantly… HUG ACHIEVED
Damien Power’s set (the headliner act for the evening) was emotionally challenging but very funny. In parts, Damien’s set was rough. Not to mean that his comedy was poorly put together, but the excerpts about his life made you want to get up on stage and give him a big hug. The hilarious image Damien portrayed of the upcoming apocalypse will stay with me for a while!
Hold the phone…. Dave Thornton? Is that you? Despite almost being in disguise, Dave rocked a fantastic feature set and was an excellent surprise guest!
Damien Power’s set (the headliner act for the evening) was emotionally challenging but very funny. In parts, Damien’s set was rough. Not to mean that his comedy was poorly put together, but the excerpts about his life made you want to get up on stage and give him a big hug. The hilarious image Damien portrayed of the upcoming apocalypse will stay with me for a while!
Hold the phone…. Dave Thornton? Is that you? Despite almost being in disguise, Dave rocked a fantastic feature set and was an excellent surprise guest!
| Michael Hing’s (Hingers) brutally honesty comedy was a particular highlight of the night. Not that I am biased (well, I possibly am) but I appreciate comedy that comes from true and real emotion. I had never seen Hingers perform live (outside his participation in Good Game Live at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016), and he outshone my expectations. He put forward a blunt and insightful set that made me laugh but also have a greater appreciation of the reality of being in the public eye. Hingers put forward a top effort and I’m looking forward to having him come back to Melbourne. HUG ACHIEVED I was unsure of what Rob Hunter would deliver when he arrived on stage. Rob’s on stage persona is quite nervous but he nailed punch lines out of nowhere. Despite lacking some flow at times (particularly when he followed some comedy gold with a bit of granite), Rob pulled off a surprise dark horse performance. HUG ACHIEVED Thanks to Brendan for organising the night and Aaron Gocs for helping collect the donations! The Rochester Comedy night is underrated and will/should be packed in no time. |  |
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