Gaypocalypse

Gaypocalypse
Adam Richard. Part of Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Backstage Room, Melbourne Town Hall. 28 Mar – 20 Apr, 2014.

Adam Richard’s Melbourne Comedy Festival stand-up show is named Gaypocalypse, but it’s a bit of an empty threat. Mr Richard, who bills himself as “Australia’s first openly gay comedian”, was surprisingly restrained in his approach – the requisite references to sexual acts were few and far between, and the show was far tamer in this regard than its title might lead you to expect. Instead, Mr Richard threaded his anecdotes together with repeated references to an apocalypse of gay zombies – his zombie impression was funny the first time, but by the end of the show it was over-used.

Best known to viewers of the ABC’s Spicks and Specks, and to radio listeners for a ten year stint doing Hollywood gossip, Mr Richard shied away from his usual subjects, instead giving us an insight into his upbringing and relationship with his mum. He also made eloquent, impassioned arguments for gay marriage and against xenophobia directed at asylum seekers, and finished with a rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. Despite introducing it as “the gay national anthem”, Mr Richard sang it pretty straight, showcasing an impressive voice and fine technical skills. The advertised gaypocalypse disappointingly never occurred in a show which had fewer laughs than anticipated – but Mr Richard deserves kudos for using the opportunity to tackle some serious subjects with passion and commitment.

Alex Paige

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