Searching for a Superhero

A dyed in the wool “good Aussie bloke” comedian, Des Dowling pitches his shtick squarely at the straight men in the audience. Now 47 years old – and he emphasises the “old” – Mr Dowling claims to be unable to make sense of social media, the internet, mobile phones, computers in general, and much of the rest of the paraphernalia of contemporary society. While he seems frankly too young to be doing the sad old man routine, nevertheless it’s a key part of his act built around men and women in marriage and their arguments, misunderstandings and ritualized behaviours.

The mix of observational and anecdotal humour is broadly good-natured, with the occasional ribald remark thrown in to stir the pot. Engaging couples from the audience in conversation, Mr Dowling pitted husbands and wives against each other and encouraged a few gentle sparks to fly, which he expertly used as further comedic fuel. With a strong sense of timing and some neat ad libbing, Mr Dowling kept the laughs coming and the show moving along at a cracking pace. It was a solid hour of comedy from an appealing, polished performer.

Alex Paige