Melbourne comedy festival review by Steve Bennett

Jude Perl is certainly a very relatable comedian, but the fact that you know exactly where she’s coming from is also a major drawback, as she slips frequently into bland chit-chat.

Her topics fit a boilerplate for so many comedians. She was a slight outsider at school and is now still living in a shared house where, at 35, she might have expected more. She’s awkward on dates, scoffs at bland inspirational quotes and doesn’t really like children.  

It’s a gentle form of cynicism, so mild as to be ineffective when it comes to generating big laughs, much as you might smile in recognition or sympathy for her mildly self-deprecating shtick. 

She’s a witty, speaker but what’s lacking is passion. There’s nothing that could possibly make her unlikable, indeed she comes across with charm, but that’s also the problem… it’s the inoffensive, easy listening version of comedy.

Speaking of which, she’s a decent musician – indeed wedding singer is her day job –  and has the benefit of a baby grand piano in the Malthouse Theatre. But the songs are the same level of diluted, superficial stand-up, just set to music. The half-dozen-or-so tracks are pleasant enough, but none have a strong hook, musically or lyrically. You’ll have forgotten them, and most of her stand-up, by the time you leave the building.

Review date: 13 Apr 2018
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival