Lizzyish reviews: Brisbane Comedy Festival - Skills in Time

Skills in Time – Got Dem Big City Dreams – Turbine Studio

“You are, how you say? Ze Whore of Babylon.”

Pre-Show Appreciation Status: I'd heard good things

There is nothing like going to see something completely new and different. Skills in Time (the people who brought you Jaydos and other bizarities via the magic of youtube) have put together a live show that is at times awkward and strange, but regularly funny. Part nonsensical narrative, part talent show, “Got Dem Big City Dreams” is raw and unexpected, and it has a fucking shark so shut up.

The story follows the boys, Henry (Stone), Greg (Larsen) and Sam (Campbell) as they leave their home in the bush to pursue their dreams of fame/shark murder/cancer cures. Damien Power provides a myriad of characters including all 3 guys’ dads, a hipster/douchebag aquarium owner, and talent show host, Ricky Ray. The jokes are quick, usually completely unexpected, and often foul. There’s a lot of excellent physical comedy, and pretty funny use of AV, showcasing the guys’ video skills.

The show fell down a bit sometimes, feeling a little under-rehearsed and shaky. Plus there were a lot of long pauses between scenes (presumably so that Power could change his hat), which were frankly a bit awkward at times.  I enjoyed it though, it was great to see something out of the ordinary; this certainly isn’t your usual 50 minute stand up routine.

Stand out performances for me were from Sam Campbell and Damien Power, though one of my companions said the stand outs for her were Henry Stone and Damien Power. I guess the point here is that Greg Larsen was also good.

 Skills in Time play at 7:15 until Saturday, and 5:15 on Sunday. Tickets here.

Disclaimer – I should probably tell you that I work for Brisbane Powerhouse. All opinions are my own and not those of my employer.

Disclaimer number two - I have pretty much been waiting my whole life to write a disclaimer like that.