James Veitch is the anti-establishment comedian that the world needs, and with one of the most highly viewed TED Talks inspiring the widely successful show ‘Dot Con’, Veitch brings his ‘Game Face’ to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for 2018.
The message here is clear and simple and naturally presented. This time around, Veitch presents, with an insistent witty commitment, how to tackle the systems in place in the world that downright annoy, make no sense, or ignore our attempts to block them. It is the clever man with a creative repertoire of rebuttal, versus the mundane manipulation of systematic communication, and it is downright hilarious and empowering.
The examples are varied, and not to be spoilt here, but it is clear that Veitch is not one to ignore an opportunity to stand up to, and decimate, the ridiculousness involved in the multitude of communications that enter our lives and vie for our attention. He challenges reasoning with comedic logic, lures standard and safe replies with troll-like and determined endeavours, and constantly matches his wit against those who are trying to follow through with a methodical purpose. As a spectator, it is a delightful journey to participate in.
There are a few deviations from the format that keep the evening varied, and Veitch has a natural and relaxed charisma that keeps the material flowing at a casual and appealing level of sophistication. The appeal is large and justified, and although he is on for the duration of the festival, booking ahead is most certainly a strong recommendation, if not a prerequisite.
– Corey
Corey M. Glamuzina is a Melbourne-based actor, writer, improvisor and comedian with an avid involvement in the art of theatre and film.
James Veitch – Game Face runs from Thursday the 29th of March to Sunday the 15th of April at the Melbourne Town Hall Powder Room, (8:15pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, 7:15pm Sundays, no shows Mondays), and then from Tuesday the 17th of April to Sunday the 22nd of April at the Melbourne Town Hall Lower Town Hall, (8:20pm Tuesday to Saturday, 7:20pm on Sunday). All shows are 60 minutes. Purchase tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
Read The Plus Ones’ guide to MICF 2018, and visit often to see all our reviews.
