Sean Burnett Dugdale-Martin
Entering into the BATS Studio Stage we have a microphone stand in the middle of the room accompanied by a stool with four small pieces of paper on them. Gebreselassie is welcoming in the audience tonight with a smile and making small talk with anyone he can. I like this guy already and I’m excited for what he has for us.
For those who know me they know that I’m a freak who likes the top-shelf weird stuff. Gebreselassie is a breath of fresh air as a comedian who is calm and collected as he delivers 50 minutes of hilarious stand-up. There’s no fuss around Gebreselassie. He doesn’t do sketches or songs… Well, he does speak some lyrics from songs, but he doesn’t jump over to a keyboard or a ukulele. It’s just him! And he’s very funny.
Gebreselassie opens his show by setting the scene about the work he’s got in store for us. He explains that it might be challenging at times, but it’s going to make our relationship stronger. I enjoy this premise and Gebreselassie does well to visit moments of the reality of refugees which he draws on from family experiences. I trust Gebreselassie so much as an audience just because of how he is. He’s so calm. Gebreselassie is the guy I want to be with when the apocalypse comes.
Throughout the show he is responsive with his audience, noticing the weird sounds we make. For those who know me personally they know I really can’t help myself and when I responded “nice” to one of his many amazing jokes he paused, looked at me, and proclaimed “we got a nice!”
It’s part of the Art Murmurs kaupapa to offer some suggestions of things to work on or improve to the artists and their teams. However I feel rude finding myself at such a loss. Gebreselassie seems to have such a distilled style and I can’t think of a single thing I would change. From my impression of the comedian I imagine that he would have ideas on what to develop, all artists do, and I apologize for enjoying it so much that I can’t articulate any constructive feedback!
Gebreselassie was most recently nominated for a Golden Gibbo award in Melbourne Comedy Fest in April. This is very much the “up-and-comer” award for their festival and this show deserves it. Certified 5 out of 5 “nice’s” this show is a must see!
Catch it now until Saturday at BATS Theatre. More info here.
Gebreselassie opens his show by setting the scene about the work he’s got in store for us. He explains that it might be challenging at times, but it’s going to make our relationship stronger. I enjoy this premise and Gebreselassie does well to visit moments of the reality of refugees which he draws on from family experiences. I trust Gebreselassie so much as an audience just because of how he is. He’s so calm. Gebreselassie is the guy I want to be with when the apocalypse comes.
Throughout the show he is responsive with his audience, noticing the weird sounds we make. For those who know me personally they know I really can’t help myself and when I responded “nice” to one of his many amazing jokes he paused, looked at me, and proclaimed “we got a nice!”
It’s part of the Art Murmurs kaupapa to offer some suggestions of things to work on or improve to the artists and their teams. However I feel rude finding myself at such a loss. Gebreselassie seems to have such a distilled style and I can’t think of a single thing I would change. From my impression of the comedian I imagine that he would have ideas on what to develop, all artists do, and I apologize for enjoying it so much that I can’t articulate any constructive feedback!
Gebreselassie was most recently nominated for a Golden Gibbo award in Melbourne Comedy Fest in April. This is very much the “up-and-comer” award for their festival and this show deserves it. Certified 5 out of 5 “nice’s” this show is a must see!
Catch it now until Saturday at BATS Theatre. More info here.