Melbourne International Comedy Festival review by Steve Bennett

Comedy purists sometimes complain that musical acts are guaranteed applause breaks other stand-ups must work for, just because of the convention that greets the end of a song. By extension, a high-energy ten-minute dance montage to huge worldwide hits is guaranteed a rapturous response.

But no one could accuse Dave Callan of being lazy in garnering those ovations. Physically, he is the hardest-working comedian this festival, delivering an hour of strenuous dance moves every night. His initial appearance may not suggest it – scraggly, greying hair, unkempt beard, lumbering demeanour – but the gruff Irishman is quite the mover.

That unlikely, ridiculous juxtaposition is funny in itself, and Callan strikes the perfect balance between homage and mockery of the choreography that’s swept the world. And even though he’s technically sound – most of the time – he’s clearly not quite fit enough for the hugely demanding task he’s set himself, so his sweaty, red-faced discomfort adding to our amusement. Flashdance looks like it could do him a serious mischief. By contrast, the two back-up dancers, Jess Quinn and Emma Russell, make it look so effortless and only add to the showmanship.

Possibly inspired by the mega-viral YouTube video, the hour is loosely themed about the evolution of dance from caveman times (maybe) to Macklemore, all given Callan’s own distinctive spin. That history is is split over three extended mash-ups to give the comic’s body some hope of recovery, while in between there’s some light-hearted banter about of the most famous dances of the past. Though fun, some of these stand-up sections could do with sharpening up. However, the banter is not the mainstay of what makes the hour so thoroughly entertaining. It’s Callan’s feet that do the talking here, and to great effect.

Review date: 10 Apr 2014
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett