Imagine, you’re at your brother’s wedding, you are the best man, the time has come to present the rings, and you have proceeded to pull everything out of your pockets: a bandaid and one ring, but the other? ‘OH GOD IT’S BEHIND YOU‘ shouts your father. Thank goodness! The moment is saved. But not so for many other moments of Liam Ryan’s life, like the time he hit himself in the face with his own sandwich. Or the time he flirted with his future wife by hitting biscuits into her arm (what even…?). Drawing from these and many other hilarious experiences Liam has concluded that life will invariably go to shit the moment everything seems to be going according to plan. And given the stories, I tend to agree and count myself kind of lucky that I can’t really relate. Or maybe I’ve just squashed all those embarrassing memories into some deep dark corner like Liam did with his memories of that awkward job interview… best not think about it.
I was super keen to see Liam after having seen his performance as part of WATSON’s ‘The Life Education Van For Adults‘, and he does not disappoint. Beginning, after an amusing preamble, with an even more amusing theatrical entrance, Liam tells us tales in an engaging, enlivened and entertaining manner. Well structured, and with a great narrative I found taking notes unnecessary, the stories were just that captivating. Performing to a supportive and lively crowd made the experience all the better. The show is highly immersive, and, if you’re lucky, you might get to play Liam’s grandfather’s accordion. Worthwhile just for that in my opinion. And if anything goes wrong? Well, that’s the point of the show, and you should proudly “own it” as Liam insightfully concludes to be the only rational way to deal with the curveballs life throws us.
-Emmanuel Malikides
Emmanuel is a comedy enthusiast with the odd habit of planning world domination while rollerblading in circles listening to the Batman soundtrack.
OH GOD IT’S BEHIND YOU plays every night except Monday until the 17th April. The venue is wheelchair accessible.
Check out our guide to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for more great shows.
