Comedy review: Dave Bloustien: Beastly - Free

Published on Monday 4 August 2008 09:16

DAVE BLOUSTIEN: BEASTLY – FREE *** LAUGHING HORSE @ ESPIONAGE (VENUE 185)

AN AFRICAN travelogue and a wry critique of charity, this is neither a superficial holiday tale nor hard-hitting polemic. Beastly does contain elements of these, but Dave Bloustien is such an engaging raconteur that his messages are smoothly absorbed, with informed substance behind everything.

The Australian comedian's wife is a grief counsellor and he's acquired insight into cultures rarely referenced in stand-up. He reveals wildlife facts, picked over for comedy, but the punchlines often spring from genuine quirks of nature rather than the transference of human characteristics.

Elsewhere, he reflects upon the perils of doing coin tricks in front of poor Botswanans who believe in magic, and there is a depressing revelation about the world's biggest charity.

With a tighter structure, this might have been a four-star show, but Bloustien, the sort of stranger you'd want to share a drink with in a foreign bar, can't resist digressions. A fine show for free, Beastly is charitable indeed.

• Until 9 August. Today 7:10pm