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  • NOW.. ONTO THE COMEDY
  • HUGS ACHIEVED
  • CONTACT
Hugging Comedians

now.. onto the comedy

Comedy @ Rochester Hotel, 1 September

9/1/2016

 
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!  
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! 
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Free Comedy Thursdays @ Rochester Hotel

6/16/2016

 
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.

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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!
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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    editor

    Andy
    Melbourne-based comedy enthusiast.

    If you are a Melbourne-based comedian or a comedian just passing through, please get in touch! I'll buy you a coffee, we'll talk about comedy, and I'll write up our chat for others to enjoy (hug optional but recommended).


     

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