How to be a comedian in 45 minutes
Reviewed at the Astor Hotel on 22 February 2019
Presented by Adapt Enterprises Pty Ltd
Do you ever wonder how comedians become comedians? In this 45 minute, intimate show where host, Ross Voss, takes chief seat by the campsite ‘fire’ (faux billy with yellow and red cellophane) you’ll hear the formative tales of what made this particular comedian.
A slight deviation in form from usual stand-up comedy where the performer stands centre stage and faces down a sea of faces waiting to be entertained, Tales from a Comedian sees the audience seated around the campfire. What follows is a collection of funny, true, and sometimes sad tales from the life of Ross Voss. His name in Greek means ‘rose’ and he jokes that perhaps that’s why he’s such a pr*ck and smells. Let me assure you he’s far from either, and the tales he tells are captivating due in equal portions to his delivery, and their funny-as content.
The first half focuses on those formative years with childhood stories bleeding into young adulthood. It’s here that you’ll hear about Voss’s experiences of dating Al Capone’s daughter, ruining a relative’s marriage, being head butted in Hahndorf and his stand-off with a door-to-door karate salesman. In the second half, Voss entertains with comedic stories of his comedy career to date (fifteen years in the arts and 34 years of life). You’ll hear how he’s been the opening act for Chopper (and it wasn’t the impersonator), heckled with a gun (several times!) and been the subject of the “Wobbsy” challenge.
Voss is a skilled entertainer who easily establishes rapport with his audience. And in the small group setting of this show, it felt much like hanging out with a fun friend rather than just hearing jokes. He doesn’t swear, his stories are suitable for everyone (perhaps some have a PG rating) and he tells a cracking yarn. Fun was had by all, faces ’round the campfire were all grinning, and I’d thoroughly recommend this local talent to all Fringe-goers.
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Twitter: @SamStaceyBond
Venue: Gillies room, Astor hotel
Season: 21 Feb-14 March (Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights)
Duration: 45 minutes
Tickets: $12-15
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