Daniel Connell is back with more hilarious tales, observations and fun in ‘Prairie Dog’.
After seeing Daniel a few times now, this reviewer is more confident than ever in his previous declaration of Dan as that one mate at the barbecue with all the good stories. ‘Prairie Dog’ continues down this path, and continues to shape Connell as a real classic Australian comic.
It’s a pretty standard joke-punchline-joke-punchline procedure, but Daniel’s approach, weaving casual audience interactions into his side-splitting material, makes it feel all the more conversational. Less like you’re in the dark, in a performance space. . . And more like you’re having a good yarn with a mate.
This year, audiences can expect the same ocker, dry delivery that Daniel has been showing off on stages around the country and on our screens via his YouTube specials and spots at the ABC’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.
Whether it’s married life, how underrated sharks are, or the lengths he went to in order to prepare for the dad race at his son’s school, Daniel has come armed with some classics once again.
It’s comedy for everyone – and even the audience interaction here is on the more relaxed side. You might get a few jabs if you’re up front, but it’s always harmless, friendly fun and you can tell Daniel’s main mission is just to make everyone sit back and have a laugh for an hour.
In a world where comedy is (excitedly, of course) taking shape in all sorts of ways, be it sketch, absurdist, clown, or just plain whacky and wild, Daniel Connell’s classic, familiar approach to the art form isn’t something to sneeze at, or be forgotten about. It is arguably – while simple in presentation – the most difficult technique. . . You’re introducing yourself in a vulnerable way: standing on stage, no bells and whistles, microphone in hand. . . And asking a room full of people to laugh along with you for 60 minutes.
Luckily, Daniel Connell is more than well-equipped for the task of delivering belly laughs, and appears to somehow be getting better at it year after year.
