Melbourne comedy festival review by Steve Bennett

What’s a guy got to do to get a break at the Melbourne comedy festival? Andrew McClelland has been delivering joyous stand-up here for 15 years, yet is still playing in one of the smallest rooms around, normally reserved for newcomers.

Will that get him down? Hell no, for he is one of the most infectiously jaunty performers in town. He beams broadly as he takes to the stage in natty three-piece suit, licking cheekily on his lollipop, Shirley Temple-style. There’s no trace of irony to this, just giddy happiness that he shares generously.

If there’s any criticism of We Really Must Do This Again Sometime, it’s a lack of focus pulling all the elements together, save for his enthusiasm and love for everyone – he even manages a tongue-in-cheek ‘say what you like about Hitler, but…’ Love for everyone except magicians, that is, whose pretentious obsessions inspire what are probably McClelland’s funniest stories, as he flashes a rare bit of frustration at those who don’t share his joie de vivre.

He’s aware that comedians should ‘punch up’, but as a straight, white male knows his privilege - his peculiar, poorly-paid job as a stand-up is the only thing that knocks him back. So instead of going on the attack the hour comprises a series of enjoyable, if disjointed, vignettes, often informed by pop culture  as he discusses The Sims or references the lyrics to No Scrubs.

In something of a departure, this ‘modern dandy’ is now dabbling in musical comedy too, the up-tempo tunes offering another level of infectious fun. His offerings range from a Flanders and Swann-like drinking song to an attempt at a Mark Ronson style R&B earbug, which he fears might accidentally be a comedy rap. It probably is. And while he’s not the most musically gifted comic, you can’t fault his enthusiasm.

This is not a show to make you think or learn; but if you don’t walk out with a big smile on your face… well, you’re no better than a magician.

Review date: 3 Apr 2016
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett