Hing & Gen's Comedy Festival diary

Gen Fricker and Michael Hing write a diary together. Seems to be working out

First published on 28 Mar 2012. Updated on 15 Aug 2012.

Genevieve Fricker and Michael Hing are two blow-ins from Sydney who will be performing their shows throughout the festival - which definitely qualifies them to comment on other people's.

WEDNESDAY, 28 MARCH 2012

Gen: Okay, let’s get right into it, what are your picks for the comedy festival this year?

Hing: Well, I’m staying with a few comics whose shows I really want to see, like Jack Druce. (Introvert Def-Jam!, Spleen Bar, 41 Bourke St. Mar 28-Apr 8 and St Ali, 12-18 Yarra Pl, South Melbourne.Tue-Sat 8pm. Apr 10-21.)

Gen: Oh, Jack Druce, he’s like a… younger, funnier, better-looking, more successful version of you, right?

Hing: Uh… yeah, I mean, I guess you could say that-

Gen: Yeah, well, ‘could', or ‘should’? I mean, he’s like what, 21, and this is his fifth comedy festival show?You’re 26 and you’re just starting so, I mean don’t you feel like you’ve wasted–

Hing: Okay, let’s move on – I’m also staying with this sketch group Skills in Time, who are down from Brisbane. (Got Dem Big City Dreams, Trades Hall, Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton.)

Gen: They are so funny.

Hing: Um, sure, they seem cool.

Gen: No, I mean they’re really funny. They’ve had like two million views on YouTube.

Hing: That’s really nice for them.

Gen: How many views has your YouTube channel had?

Hing: It’s not important.

Gen: I guess there’s not a lot of demand on YouTube for videos of a man softly weeping into an old towel. Apparently people would rather see sketch comedy. Who knew?

Hing: I feel like you’re making a lot of unnecessary and sarcastic comparisons between me and these other comedians.

Gen: Yeah, and you do not come off well at all.

Hing: Well anyway, here are some other shows we’re excited about that we’re definitely going to see this year…

Glenn Wool - No Land's Man
	One of our all-time favourite comedians, Glen Wool seems to effortlessly string out everyday premises to their amazing/horrifying logical conclusions like no one else. He’s one of those comedians who just commands the stage with sheer volume and yet has such finesse with his ideas. Venue: Melbourne Town Hall Date: Mar 29-Apr 22 Time: Tue-Sat 9.30pm; Sun 8.30pm
Jennifer Wong – Ouch & Other Words
	Listen up, you cynical cold-hearted bastards. Y’know that scene in A Christmas Carol where Ebeneezer Scrooge’s heart finally melts and he becomes a good guy? Yeah, that’s what Jennifer Wong is midway through the comedy festival. Remember this show for when you’re sick of angry comics screaming about the world. Venue: Carpet Room, Forum Theatre Date: Mar 29-Apr 22 Time: Tue-Sat 7.15pm; Sun 6.15pm
Late O’Clock With Rob Hunter
	Rob Hunter hosts a talk show every Monday night where he invites some of the best comedians in the world to sit with him and be mostly uncomfortable as he subtly mocks them. It’s excellent viewing, go and see this. Venue: Powder Room, Melbourne Town Hall Date: Apr 2-16 Time: Mon 9.45pm
Shane Matheson & His Fabulous Singing Bucket of Gravel
	Shane Matheson is some kind of comedy wizard. Half the time you won’t realise you’re listening to a joke until you’re already laughing. This year he’s written a show where he sings songs with a “fabulous singing bucket of gravel”. If that doesn’t get you along to a show I don’t know what will. Maybe the fact that he describes the show as “at LEAST the second best show with a singing bucket of gravel in the festival”. Fantastic. Venue: St Ali Date: Apr 10-21 Time: Tue-Sat 9.30pm
Zoe Coombs Marr
	Her press photo is her vomiting some sort of green liquid into the ether, from three different angles. We are so on board for this. Venue: Backstage Room, Melbourne Town Hall Date: Mar 29-Apr 22 Time: Tue-Sat 6pm; Sun 5pm