What Does the K Stand For?

Back in Australia for a series of performances at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, British comedian Stephen K Amos delivered an hour of brilliant stand-up at the Athenaeum Theatre, wowing the audience with his wit, terrific comic timing and sparkling improvisational skills.

A very polished and appealing performer, Mr Amos has built this latest show around observational humour and anecdotes taken from his many visits to Australia. Expertly mimicking the broader strains of the Aussie accent, he uses his position as an outsider looking in to our culture to show us the inherent humour in many of our attitudes and assumptions. It’s a clever approach and one that generated plenty of laughs.

Mr Amos built a strong rapport with his appreciative audience, engaging individuals in conversation and even encouraging, then offering a critique of the level of heckling. When a few jokes fell flat, he expertly mined for further laughs by turning them on their head with clever ad libbing. It was an hour of frequently side-splitting laughter, over much too fast. Mr Amos’ performance was a highlight of the festival so far and is thoroughly recommended.

Alex Paige