RAYBON KAN is COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR
15/05/2012 - 19/05/2012
Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE, Auckland
11/05/2012 - 12/05/2012
NZ International Comedy Festival 2012
Production Details
THEY TRIED TO CENSOR HIM. HE SAID: CENSORSHIP IS FOR P***IES!
Fresh from a bruising news cycle in 2011, when he was water-boarded inside the tumble-dryer of New Zealand’s mainstream media, Masterton’s favourite Asian provocateur returns in 2012 – defiantly humorous, washing-line sharp and violently ethical.
Having been called IN(appropriate), OUT(rageous) and OFF(ensive), Raybon’s latest show promises once again to be EDGY(cational).
Carefully fermenting ideas from the live culture of Twitter, Raybon adds condensed honesty, PowerPoint and wry ice, to create spontaneous combustion upon the comedy stage.
The esteemed author of such political pottery as ‘The Official Mug of Non-Racism’ (Available Only in White); and the lyricist of the religiously-inclusive song ‘Do They Know It’s Ramadan?’, Raybon has recently completed an extensive tour of small towns, also known as ‘the drive up from Wellington.’
Galloping head-long against complacency, Raybon jousts helmetless against the forces of Conservatism, King & Country. It may be unseemly. It may be unbecoming. Certainly, he’s completely Uncalled For.
“He seems to have a compulsion to dig himself a hole – juicy stuff.” Theatreview
“Actually quite good.” Dominion Post
As part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2012
RAYBON KAN – UNCALLED FOR
AUCKLAND
Dates: May 11-12, 7pm.
Venue: Comedy Chamber, 303 Queen St.
Tickets: Adults $25/ Conc. $22.50/ Group $19.50
Booking: 0800 BUY TICKETS or www.buytickets.co.nz
WELLINGTON
Dates: May 15-19, 8.30pm.
Venue: Downstage, 12 Cambridge Tce.
Tickets: Adults $24.90/Conc. $22.50/ Group 6+ $19.90
Booking: 04 801-6946 or www.downstage.co.nz
Duration: 1 Hour
For a full line up of performances, booking details & more information, visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz
Email: sales@raybonkan.com
www.raybonkan.com
Twitter.com/RaybonKan
Saved by genuine intelligence and warmth
Review by Maryanne Cathro 17th May 2012
It was a dark and chilly night as a few brave souls huddled together in Downstage to witness Raybon Kan be Completely Uncalled For. And indeed most of his humour is just that. Wherein lies its appeal.
I find Kan’s combination of genuine liberal intellectualism and determination to use politically incorrect subject matter quite fascinating. It is not an easy place from which to generate humour and he struggles to keep the balance, but that is his style and I’ve never seen him any other way. Perhaps it is his refreshing lack of boorishness, so often seen in kiwi comics these days, that makes it all almost work.
A large chunk of the show Is devoted to the Twitter incident of 2012, and provideS a good starting point for further material on the pointlessness of political correctness in other areas of life. However for someone as smart as Raybon Kan, who has dwelt so long in this space, I am disappointed that he hasn’t come up with any truly novel insights into why such humour is sometimes hilarious and other times a complete miss. Clearly it is a theme that interests him, given so much of his humour centres around it.
Ultimately I find the genuine intelligence and warmth underlying his material and performances a saving grace. There is nothing stagey, slick or cynical about Kan’s performance style or material. Cynical about the objects of his derision, yes, but not cynical in his treatment of his audience.
This is not a show that will have you guffaw until your sides ache, but it is amusing, a little bit challenging at times and ends on a really good laugh. Which I will not spoil.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Comments