Review: Robby Hoffman - Biography

Reviewed by Bruce McKay

Robby Hoffman, a stand-up comic now living in Verdun, sure comes off as adorable, cute and nutty. And just to make sure that there is no question about that, Robby has included video clips in her performance of friends and acquaintances telling us that, indeed, she is all of these. We even have Robby’s boss mentioning that Robby’s a good salesperson. Well, I’m sold: I really like Robbie Hoffman, too! Yet this is largely where Robby’s comedy fails. Robby has pitched herself so well as an adorable person that her short rants on different themes come across as just petty or dumb. Robby, really: taking back all of the money you’ve given to a homeless person over the years (see how great she is!!) because you’ve come to realize that they’re always gonna be homeless?

Review: Men Telling Stories (Fringe 2011)

Reviewed by Bruce McKay

Gosh, I gotta say that Matt and Peter from London, Ontario and who met at Queen’s University are nice guys, men even. Heck, they’re just bros telling stories of their adolescence, giving pointers on how to behave at parties (don’t bring an acoustic guitar) and explaining basic young-men-stuff like the different reactions to being hit in the balls or how to adjust to incompatible hand greetings. Nothing outrageous, no particular insights into anything, not complicated, wholesome even. Just regular dudes talking about their lives so far and suggesting that many guys are pretty much … well, your bros and out to do good. No doubt.

Review: ShLong Form Improv (Fringe 2011)

Reviewed by Bruce McKay

Comedy improv has just got to be one of the hardest acts to perform. I mean, just imagine spinning off a humorous routine with these words provided by your audience: electrolysis, butcher and Mount Everest. ShLong Form Improv, a four person troupe billing themselves as coming from South Korea, got to work and … well, I didn’t find them funny at all. Neither did I experience anything remotely approaching a laugh from any of the scenes which included, for example, robot tax collectors, students breaking into the principal’s office and a three-headed alien hiker on, you may have guessed, Mount Everest. However, two of the audience members present at my showing (there were seven of us) were in hysterics throughout and nicely highlighted the chasm between what some people find funny and what others don’t.

Review: Lydia Lockett … JAZZ POETRY of the NEW BEAT GENERATION (Fringe 2011)

Reviewed by Bruce McKay

“This show is dedicated to nice people and, uh, I’m sure you’re all nice.” So began Ms Lydia Lockett’s performance of poems accompanied by soft jazzy music. I’m not sure what the ‘New Beat Generation’ is about – or if there even is such a thing – but here we get some descriptions of some really nice and, apparently, some really not-so-nice men from Ms Lockett’s past. The former are mythologized, and no clue given as to why, and her recounting of the latter show continuing resentment. The poems are so much about her that there is little left for us as audience. Disappointing, as well, was her use of the music: her voice felt juxtaposed upon it rather than as something that was truly inspired by it. Overall, this needs work and surely a clearer desire to entertain.
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