In ‘Box-Headed Manbaby’, comedian Daniel Connell continues his tradition of delivering relaxing, relatable stand-up in its purest form.
With such a colourful offering at our disposal for this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, there’s so much to see and so many stories to hear. The land of comedy has evolved, now presented in myriad perspectives across art forms. It’s so much fun to watch the many ways in which people present humour on the stage.
All that said. . . Isn’t it great, sometimes, to just check out some classic stand-up?
Daniel Connell, the guy this reviewer previously dubbed ‘that one friend at the party who’s got all the good stories’, does it damn well. He presents, here, a collection of tales and observations, covering personal trainers, being a parent, the wild things said by our elders, and the unexpected dangers of a very old waterslide – to name just a few topics. There are mini set-ups and mini punchlines all the way through: every story ends with a bang (sometimes the most nonchalant, Australian 'bang' ever), making way for something new.
As an audience member at a Daniel Connell show, you can always expect a set of cleverly and carefully crafted knee-slappers, and an exceptionally chill atmosphere. If you’re up the front and feeling anxious about the prospect of audience interaction. . . First of all, why are you up the front? But second of all – Daniel’s style isn’t to humiliate or look down on his adoring crowd. Instead, he gets to know you, and pulls from his rolodex of quick wit to bring you, masterfully, into his pre-written material.
Daniel Connell is kind of the quintessential Aussie stand-up: capturing the laid-back, no-nonsense nature of your average Aussie larrikin – as well as being instantly approachable and relatable, frank, ocker, and simply delightful.
His upward trajectory in the last few years (including a considerable venue upgrade size-wise at this year’s Festival compared to last) is not only understandable, but completely deserved. May it continue.
★★★★★
