Melbourne International Comedy Festival review by Steve Bennett

This is a gentle show from a gentle man. Dilruk Jayasinha is personable, and well aware of the fact.

For example, he says that he’s had no first-hand experience of overt racism in the ten years since he moved to Melbourne from Sri Lanka because he has such a soft, kind face no one could openly hate. The ugly scenes of the Reclaim Australia rally not 100 metres from this venue last weekend do not tally with his direct experience.

That is one reason he’s keen not to become an ‘ethnic comedian’ since his background is generally not what defines him… but this, his second show, doesn’t establish exactly what sort of comedian he is instead. He’s an affable, slightly cheeky one one, for sure, a ‘Sri Larrikin’ he quips in a line almost lost under his breath, but what else?

Well, he’s generally content with life; relatively well-off thanks to an accountancy day job, loving performing stand-up, if a bit down about being single. Nor does he claim to understand politics, although he has a strong, wryly amusing analogy to combat those who complain about ‘queue-jumping boat people’. He could be a better son, he thinks, so vows to call home to express his love – even if it proves a difficult thing to do.

Such material is charming, easy-going stuff, even when he hints at things a little deeper (and a hint is usually all we’re going to get). The content, like the comedian, has a cheery face.

Routines tend to be a bit too conversational, rather than striving towards punchlines, just like when he chats to the audience. And while likeability is a useful factor in a comedian’s arsenal, but Jayasinha needs more of something – whether it’s jokes, attitude or opinion – to make an hour in his company be more than simply pleasant and engaging.

Review date: 12 Apr 2015
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival