TJ Mc Donald and Jarrod Baker are a duo from Wellington equipped with that cool, un-fussed,  vibe that I’ve found a lot of people from that ‘part of the fish’ possess.  Their sets are split in half, nicely sharing the hour allocation.

TJ has first dibs on the mic, he starts in with the usual stand up fare livening the audience by drip feeding jokes about miscellaneous subjects like his rotund physique and robust girlfriend, and his triumph over a past indignant ‘dismissal’ from the ‘Performing Arts’ when he was a lad.

The audience seems to be a reasonable size. As he engages with members on surrounding tables it becomes clear that the majority in attendance are here tonight because of flyers McDonald was handing out earlier in the day. He has an accessible personality that strikes favour and easy laughs with all those around him, hence the majority of walk-in patrons; some of whom are sitting at my table and are quick to mention they’re struggling students. (The fair ticket price has guilt attached in my corner as I’ve seen all my shows on comps this Festival. I’m graciously thankful to all the comedians who have allowed me in on the door.) 

On the half hour, Jarrod Baker makes his entrance sporting a much envied possession I coveted as a kid: THE MELODICA. Capitals are the only way I can express my past admiration for this instrument. Besides the Saxophone, in my childhood view the Melodica was the sexiest instrument ever made.

(Sorry got a bit romantic there) Yes….what to say of Jarrod Baker? Well, he seems miserable. He declares a lot in his half hour slot and it’s all done in a mono-tone that borders on mumbling and asleep. Unlike McDonald, Baker’s ramblings are a little more adamant and stoic, but still funny as hell. He even offers me teen sex advice for future parental use. It’s all light hearted and offers no offence within comic bounds.

What is prevalent in the guise Baker employs onstage is that his is a well performed demeanour; he holds the persona without fault. Toward the close of his performance he picks up the beloved Melodica and treats us to a movie theme.

We really are in the presence of true cultural ambassadors.  I found tonight’s performance of Monkey vs. Robot to be really entertaining in a gritty, "my flatmates don’t do their dishes" kinda way.

Mc Donald and Bakers onstage personas are polished and really cool, much like their home city.

DONT MISS THIS SHOW, GO SEE IT, SUPPORT NZ COMEDY!
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News.

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer

In Monkey vs Robot Wellington comedians TJ McDonald and Jarrod Baker bring their unique styles of stand up together for the first time.  On opening night the material is fresh, original and untried, never having been performed on stage before.

Monkey vs Robot is billed as ‘two young comedians going head to head in the Thunder-dome of Mirth’.  Do not be fooled.  There are no monkeys or robots in sight, and certainly no conflict, in fact the two comedians are never even on the stage at the same time.  Rather they each perform a half hour set of stand up that is completely separate in ideas and not linked by any device at all.

TJ McDonald is the first on the floor; affable and easygoing he takes time to make friends with the crowd and warms up an audience chilly from their journey to Happy on a cold winter’s night with his conversational opening gambits. 

A set that covers such diverse topics as his nine year old stage debut as Augustus Gloop, cultural cringe truisms on the boring nature of New Zealand politics, and how this compares to the psychedelic media circus of Obama-mania is delivered with an affable casual warmth, and a big smile that makes you want to give him a bit of a hug.

While McDonald has a likeable stage presence he could afford to push his characterisations and impersonations to a more performative level.  Perhaps due to a case of opening night nerves he seemed to be holding back, but once he got into his stride the audience warmed to him and could happily have enjoyed a longer set.

McDonald is followed by Jarrod Baker – one half of 2007 Billy T winners musical comedy duo Mrs Peacock.  Baker has some gimmicks to give his set a structure.  He begins by playing some short covers on the melodica – the audience seem to enjoy this and would like more, but as Baker explains he hasn’t practiced and doesn’t know any more. 

Melodica discarded he then moves through a series of unrelated anecdotes and non sequiturs.  These are loosely linked to each other with a series of quiz questions for the audience taken from a Trivial Pursuit card, a ploy that is both engaging and inventive, though he does not endow this with enough importance for us to remain interested.  

His dry and deadpan style delivery might work well if he had better pacing or was on stage with another, more energetic, performer – but as a solo act is slow and lacking in energy.

It is disappointing to see two such experienced comedians giving such cold performances of material that is rich in potential.  Hopefully this was due to opening night nerves and as they warm into the season they will gain the confidence and momentum that will give this act the energy that it needs.
_______________________________
For more production details, click on the title above. Go to Home page to see other Reviews, recent Comments and Forum postings (under Chat Back), and News. 

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer