The Son of Loft room inside the Lithuanian Club is a very cosy and intimate space. Within a few moments of Lee Naimo’s joyfully fashioned ‘Definitely Not a Trap’ the audience really got to experience just how intimate the show was going to be. Audience interaction is a standard expectation for quite a number of comedy shows at this year’s Fringe, and sometimes an aspect about a show that can make an audience nervous. Not so with this solo sketch show. In an odd way, the audience feels like a part of the production, perhaps sitting on the stage already, helping an established and very quick-witted comic construct a wholly clever and ‘meta’ experience doesn’t fall short of an entertaining and welcoming experience.
Like many sketch shows, a lot of Lee’s humour is generated from his characters and pre-planned scenarios that tie together nicely. The genius of this show, however, shines through the performer’s expert commentary of the processes going into the different scenes, and responding to reactions — especially those that are unexpected, from the audience and other characters that he brings to the stage. (A certain malfunction of a character named ‘Rude Bird’ provided probably one of the biggest laugh-out-loud moments of the festival).
Lee has a real handle on this show and is clearly an adept performer and comedian. With this being his second solo show for the year, we can only look forward to what lies ahead in the festivals to come. Top stuff.
– Corey
Corey M. Glamuzina is a Melbourne-based actor, writer, improvisor and comedian with an avid involvement in the art of theatre and film.
‘Lee Naimo – Definitely Not a Trap’ runs 18-25 September, 9pm (55mins) at The Fringe Hub, Son of Loft, with the exception of 8pm on the Sunday, and no show on the Monday.
The venue is not accessible.
