Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Lizzy Hoo offers a genial collection of stories, predominantly about her family, but her low-key charm does not inject them with anything more than gentle laughs. 

There’s not any strong attitude behind the anecdotes, nor does the show have any great sense of purpose that makes it more than the sum of its parts. The main take-out is that Hoo has given up her day job to give comedy a proper go and that her parents didn’t offer that decision their wholehearted, unconditional support. 

Despite the lack of substance, Hoo is so likeable that the audience are happy to go along with her gentle meanderings, and are occasionally rewarded with an amusing aside or some cheeky wordplay. 

The winsome comedian is not the only member of her family to take an unconventional career path. One brother went all-in on becoming a travel vlogger, just as the pandemic hit, while the other set up a DIY trout farm in the hope of striking it rich.

Until her comedy gambit, easy-going Hoo’s most recklessly ambitious decision was to drive with friends from Canada to Mexico in a van that cost $500. We don’t hear much about this jaunt, even though it nominally bookends a big chunk of narrative. Of another overseas trip – to Malaysia for her grandmother’s funeral – the main point is that she stocked up on jewellery, which in retrospect seemed disrespectful to the memory.

There’s a faint whiff of death throughout, as talking breezily about the topic is a Hoo family trait. It’s one of many slight peculiarities – from the acquisition of a dead man’s shoes to her characterful father Chen taking up the ukulele – she sells as being more quirky than they are. 

The anecdotes are all perfectly fine, even if that’s not an especially high bar to be setting. But her mild flavour of comedy is a popular one, making her able to fill a sizeable room at this festival. Maybe her parents needn’t be too concerned about her career choice.

• Lizzy Hoo: Hoo Cares? is at the Swiss Club at 6.30pm from tonight until April 23 and 5.30pm on the 24th. There’s an extra show at Melbourne Town Hall at 9pm tonight.

Review date: 19 Apr 2022
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival