Two word review: Intimate affair
Hugs achieved: x 2
Comedy at the Rochester Hotel (Rochey Comedy) is a fun comedy night held in Fitzroy on Thursday nights from 8:30pm. Rochey is a consistent performer with a bit more of a relaxed/low-key vibe to some other comedy nights in the city. Rochey Comedy last week proved to be another chilled night of comedy. But don’t let the relaxed vibe make you think you’re not getting quality and/or big name comedy!
Before I get onto some of the highlights and standout performers for the night, I’d appreciate you having a read/think about the below. Rochey Comedy is a great venue but so much of your enjoyment of the night can depend on the fellow punters who attend. Because the performance area of the Rochester Hotel is an intimate affair, the performers will hear and see most of what happens during their set. Last Thursday, there were times where the audience was disrespectful to the comedian on stage, interrupting the flow and fun of the night. For example, there were instances of very loud talking mid sets and during one comedian’s performance, audience members tried to record a comedian who specifically asked the audience not to. Comedy nights might not be a regularly thing for some, where they might have just come out for a couple of drinks with mates. Nevertheless, I implore audiences to respect the comedian on stage. Let them do their bit and you’ll have a much better night for it!
Hugs achieved: x 2
Comedy at the Rochester Hotel (Rochey Comedy) is a fun comedy night held in Fitzroy on Thursday nights from 8:30pm. Rochey is a consistent performer with a bit more of a relaxed/low-key vibe to some other comedy nights in the city. Rochey Comedy last week proved to be another chilled night of comedy. But don’t let the relaxed vibe make you think you’re not getting quality and/or big name comedy!
Before I get onto some of the highlights and standout performers for the night, I’d appreciate you having a read/think about the below. Rochey Comedy is a great venue but so much of your enjoyment of the night can depend on the fellow punters who attend. Because the performance area of the Rochester Hotel is an intimate affair, the performers will hear and see most of what happens during their set. Last Thursday, there were times where the audience was disrespectful to the comedian on stage, interrupting the flow and fun of the night. For example, there were instances of very loud talking mid sets and during one comedian’s performance, audience members tried to record a comedian who specifically asked the audience not to. Comedy nights might not be a regularly thing for some, where they might have just come out for a couple of drinks with mates. Nevertheless, I implore audiences to respect the comedian on stage. Let them do their bit and you’ll have a much better night for it!
Enough of me being a comedy snob… onto the fun stuff!!! On 1 September, we were lucky to have a range of comedians, some with loads of experience, others with notoriety and others who are a little bit of special.
Starting off with those trying out some new stuff, Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann and Arj Barker showed their experience nailing some fresh material. Separate to the humour itself, seeing how these guys craft their jokes and tell their stories is a delight. Our MC for the night Cameron James kept the night flowing with a jovial attitude and plenty of audience interaction. Cameron is a likeable guy and comedian; he may profit from having more structured material for his bits between sets for more formal gigs but his style worked well for the mood of the night.
I tend to crush on comedians. Not in a ‘romantic sense’ rather I become fascinated with their style and want to understand them in greater depth as performers and people. Personal favourite Laura Dunemann and pocket rocket Demi Lardner fit into this category, two contrasting styles yet each captivating for their own reasons. Laura with a softness to her voice and Demi with bursts of energy throughout her set.
Speaking of dreamy…*cough*…I mean engaging performers, check out Ben Knight. Ben is a friendly guy and in our chat after his performance he acknowledged where he needed to develop his set. I really like Ben’s confidence as it amplifies his comedy but he needs to avoid being overly self-deprecating or getting caught up in bits that aren’t perfect. In contrast, it’s difficult to describe Rob Hunter’s performance as it also takes confidence to pull off this style of comedy but his persona is something very different. Rob nailed the majority of his set and got huge waves of laughter from some clever writing mixed with his apprehensive onstage persona. Oh, and don’t forget… “GOCSY FOR PM”! my fellow punter declared as Internet sensation Aaron Gocs left the stage.
Recommend you come along to Rochey Comedy, grab a beer and some popcorn, be nice to the comedians, and have a great time!
Starting off with those trying out some new stuff, Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann and Arj Barker showed their experience nailing some fresh material. Separate to the humour itself, seeing how these guys craft their jokes and tell their stories is a delight. Our MC for the night Cameron James kept the night flowing with a jovial attitude and plenty of audience interaction. Cameron is a likeable guy and comedian; he may profit from having more structured material for his bits between sets for more formal gigs but his style worked well for the mood of the night.
I tend to crush on comedians. Not in a ‘romantic sense’ rather I become fascinated with their style and want to understand them in greater depth as performers and people. Personal favourite Laura Dunemann and pocket rocket Demi Lardner fit into this category, two contrasting styles yet each captivating for their own reasons. Laura with a softness to her voice and Demi with bursts of energy throughout her set.
Speaking of dreamy…*cough*…I mean engaging performers, check out Ben Knight. Ben is a friendly guy and in our chat after his performance he acknowledged where he needed to develop his set. I really like Ben’s confidence as it amplifies his comedy but he needs to avoid being overly self-deprecating or getting caught up in bits that aren’t perfect. In contrast, it’s difficult to describe Rob Hunter’s performance as it also takes confidence to pull off this style of comedy but his persona is something very different. Rob nailed the majority of his set and got huge waves of laughter from some clever writing mixed with his apprehensive onstage persona. Oh, and don’t forget… “GOCSY FOR PM”! my fellow punter declared as Internet sensation Aaron Gocs left the stage.
Recommend you come along to Rochey Comedy, grab a beer and some popcorn, be nice to the comedians, and have a great time!
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