Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

As a low-key New Zealand musical comedy duo, The Fan Brigade will surely attract comparisons with Flight Of The Conchords, although they are probably more akin to wry British duo Flo & Joan, who are also playing this festival.

Livi Reihana and Amanda Kennedy certainly have a more overt agenda than their Kiwi compatriots, as they proudly wave the feminist flag. Their first song – indeed their very show title – reclaims the sort of vile online abuse any woman daring to have a public voice will attract, shrugging off the violent insults. 

The duo repeatedly bang the equality drum – or rather strum the equality ukulele – throughout their show. However the approach is sometimes rather too direct, simply and flippantly pointing out the ridiculousness of sexism which should be self-evident, when a more obtuse approach is likely to be more comedically rewarding. But other sections such as their mocking of love songs with worrisome lyrics  (‘Ed Sheehan is a shit’) get it spot-on.

Not all their songs are concerned with gender issues. One of their best tackles passive-aggression with passive-aggression as they mock the petty bureaucracy of an RSL club obsessed with guests signing in.

Beyond their material, they are thoroughly charming, if deadpan, company, with an underplayed but genuine chemistry and a knowing relationship between themselves and with their audience, even this small Monday night gathering. Their frenemy-style banter is based on a shared history, threatening to expose each other’s dirty secrets in tit-for-tat exchanges, while their sardonic response to the haters is modestly endearing. Unless, of course, you’re one of the neocon incels screaming your impotent abuse at them online.

Review date: 2 Apr 2019
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival