★★★★
Tom Gleeson is surely run off his feet these days. Tonight’s show as part of the Sydney Comedy Festival is performed in front of a sell-out crowd at the Enmore Theatre as he concludes his Great national tour. A career spanning almost three decades across stand-up, TV, radio and print speaks to a versatile performer who got his start at Sydney University collaborating with a bunch of young writers that would later become known as The Chaser.
It was at Sydney University’s Manning Bar where I first saw Gleeson perform almost 15 years ago. On that night, he spoke of the challenges of navigating awkward family gatherings and deflecting comments about his weight and marital status. Fast-forward to 2016 and the same laconic, dry sense of humour is still present. Gleeson’s tales now involve his wife and her displeasure at being the source of so much of his material, along with musings about his young daughter, negative gearing, alternative uses for talcum powder, renewable energy and the motel his parents operate. It’s a whirlwind hour in anyone’s terms.
Measured and comfortable, it straddles the fine line at times between silliness and having something genuinely important to say about leadership, relationships and the state of the environment.
Stylistically, the show delivers on the best elements of Gleeson’s regular spot on the ABC’s The Weekly With Charlie Pickering. It’s topical in a way that keeps his material relevant without taking itself too seriously. However, it’s a little too safe in some parts. Gleeson laments not having Tony Abbott around any longer for material, but this might just be a blessing in disguise.
While prolific, the comedian is not flashy and doesn’t try to hit every ball out of the park. Instead he builds rapport easily and effortlessly with the audience, many of which I’m sure have been following his career for some time. The night ends on an interesting note as Gleeson moderates an impromptu Q and A session, in which audience members get a peek behind the curtain at what is involved in putting a show together.
Gleeson might just be one of this country’s most beloved comics. Tonight’s full house at the Enmore wouldn’t disagree.
Tom Gleeson was reviewed at the Enmore Theatre on Saturday April 30 as part of Sydney Comedy Festival 2016.
