Live - Giggling Gertie - Supper Club
They say “fear is the mind killer”. For those of you who have jumped out of an aeroplane you will understand what I’m talking about, but if you truly want to understand fear try throwing yourself onstage in a packed out club and attempt stand up comedy. If you die jumping out of a plane, well, you are dead. If you die on stage performing comedy you get to live another day but your next few drinks may not go down as well as you’d like.
Jody Ekert is definitely one of Australia’s funniest female comedians. She has a list a mile long of achievements and has toured the world leaving a trail of audiences in stitches in her wake. Last year’s Mardi Gras Festival saw Jody premiere her project – Giggling Gertie, a female comedy workshop for up and coming comedians held over two days, filled with growth, laughter, tears, fear and joy. The workshops included tips from other established comedians and support that money just can’t buy, before rounding up the best of the crop to showcase their talents in one big night of laughs.
After the success of last year’s Giggling Gertie, Jody couldn’t help recreating this innovative event for a second time. Twelve of the best women waited nervously during sound check at The Supper Club only hours before doors opened. Some were pacing, some were anxious, others seemed fully prepared. This show was always going to be a night to remember.
Will and Toby’s was packed to the rafters – Jody took to the stage in her role of MC. The energy was electric and once she began to speak the laughter began. First cab off the rank was Jackie Mann. This self-confessed vegan with an over-supportive mother whipped up the audience with some great laughs. She was confident and the perfect opener. Next up was the lovely Ande Kindryd. Born in the USA and defiantly no relation to Whoopi Goldberg, Ande’s humour was laugh out loud material. She had the audience in stitches with lines like “My skin is not coffee okay – the next white person who says so will be a flat white”.
Jane Ubrihien took to the stage next and dealt up a plethora of great jokes, very well delivered. Her tales of airport cavity searches will always make me cringe when I hear a rubber glove snapping. Amy Kermode, another very funny woman was next. After hearing her opening dialog about her crazy nanna who sends sms’s in caps it was evident this girl has a future in comedy. When she pulled out a red and yellow card from her back pocket, which she carries around all the time since going to referee school, the crowd lost it. UK born Lennie Frances burst onto the stage next with her hilarious lines on our humble Golden Gaytime, quick and great stuff.
Hannah Gissane from Newcastle tore it up next with her woes of 3-ply toilet paper and a rap song, which kept the audience in belly flips of laughter. The final act before a short break came from the divine Cindy Loughhead, who had been through the Gertie experience before. I loved Cindy, her befuddled routine of half jokes, lack of material and worrying when she’d be booted off stage really won me over.
After a short break round two began with Dee Caruana, another Gertie veteran. It’s always tough to come back after a 15-minute break but Dee continued through her spot and shone. Next up was a stand up virgin and child to evangelist parents, Michelle Dennis. I really loved her set also, very quick fire and very funny. Oh my God, up next was Melinda Kelly with her background in community housing and tales of Indian massages gone wrong, she really tore it up. Great to see another very funny woman with a lot of potential.
O.C.D (Orange Counting Disorder) sufferer and lovely on the eye Nickki Duffey took on the mic next with a barrage of neat jokes. Followed by Jodie Newell whose day job revolves around the world of journalism. Her political satire was fresh and inventive, plus she really seemed to know how to work the stage. The final Giggling Gertie for the night, before a special guest closed the show, was Carol Cawsey and her stories of her bogan brother being confronted with his straight sexuality. Carol was a hoot, very entertaining and her dances were the bomb. It’s pretty hard not to laugh at a crazy boobie dance, what a great finish.
The night ended with seasoned American comedian Lila Tilman, who was brilliant. This lady had it all. From her allergies to Bindi Irwin, to her exploits as tampon MacGyver, Lila’s set was really hilarious and a great way to close.
I was really very impressed with the courage shown by all of the performers. The crowd was really supportive; you could tell they had shown up to laugh. Fantastic to see an event that nurtures young talent, it is a credit to Jody Ekert and her Giggling Gertie project.
Lets hope to see it return for Mardi Gras in 2009.
Read more about Giggling Gertie right here.
Check out Jody’s Featured Column right here on Same Same.
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LynDoh
said ages ago