Review by Steve Bennett at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Comedy is still dominated by affable white men telling jovial stories of their everyday life. One consequence of that, which might not engender much sympathy, is how hard it is to make a mark as a newbie if you’re of that demographic and working in that style.

Festival debutant Sam Taunton is, indeed, yet another member of that set. But while there are some things that are not yet distinctive about his work, the comes out of the blocks as a fully-formed stand-up, with an irrepressibly engaging style and an eye for cutting fresh paths through his topics.

He already has such relaxed presence and well-judged comic rhythms that he could fit into any club bill – or, god forbid, commercial radio slot – yet with a freshness that should keep even a jaded comedy-goer interested.

Taunton’s style is to put a happy spin on the fact that life hasn’t quite worked out how he had hoped, living in a share house and struggling with relationships and his job. There’s the obligatory bad-gig story to open – and another at the end as a TV slot got hijacked by a 12-year-old with attitude – while there are further humiliations in his sex life.

Some of the routines, including that last one, fizzle out without endings and the show as a whole similarly lacks an overriding sense of purpose. But the cheery incredulity he brings to observational topics and the breezy, confident delivery style ensures the material always lands.

Just two years out of being a finalist in the Raw new act competition, Taunton is making an assured debut. His mainstream material may not be redefining the genre, but he does it expertly well. 

Review date: 9 Apr 2017
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett