MC Rob Harris is sick. Not in the ‘sick comedy’ kind of way, but just sick. And hopefully not contagious. Well, perhaps a little bit. It’s the measure of a good comedian that they can take circumstances and fold their material into it which he does effortlessly. It’s a small crowd at the Fringe Bar but we become ‘we happy few’ as Harris helps us to get to know each other.

Surprisingly there may be more international patrons at this gig than Kiwis. Harris does a great job with this small bunch of keeping the audience energy up and us moving through the evening. I’d particularly like to hear more about ‘My Daughter’: some great material that looks like it’s going to the dark side. 

Billed as the “rising stars of wellington comedy” with a terrific write-up in the programme, there’s lots to look forward to. On opening night we see Adam Chown, Rhian Wood-Hill, Aidan Grealish and Josh Davies. Our MC asks us to see if we can spot the winners in the Raw Comedy Quest. Some are easier than others.

Adam Chown has a tight, well-rehearsed set. From some of his famous Welsh compatriots to the different takes a 34yr old has on the changes in social engagement, and including his efforts to learn te Māori, Chowd has the audience well in hand. He begins our night with ease.

Rhian Wood-Hill enters like a rock star and is similarly dressed, giving Steve Tyler a run for his money. Boy bands (not exactly what you’re thinking right now) and his life of exclusion are the meat of his set. He connects with us best when he’s talking directly to us, but some of the time his eyeline is above and beyond the audience and we begin to feel a little left out. Pulled up by an audience member for one of his lines, his response is his best, most engaging spontaneous moment: we see a confident, fun guy and his warmth is almost as infectious as the MC’s.   

Aidan Grealish may have spent a bit too much time twiddling his thumbs in waiting for his set. He comes on very strong and while he has a great manner and uses his voice well, when his delivery verges towards rant-from-a-friend-at-the-pub it tends to shut us down as an audience. At least he recognises it and informs his offstage comrades with promises to “get them back”. Which he almost does. This material has some great possibilities and will more than likely need to be let out a couple more times to settle its delivery.

Josh Davies is our last comic of the evening and the also it’s highlight. Disability humour is always tricky in our PC world but if you can’t make fun of yourself in a comedy club where can you? There will always be parallels drawn to Phillip Paxton but Davies really makes this material his own. His delivery is simple, unaffected and delightful. Fully embracing his differently-abled, nerd self he enjoys letting us into his mind when he gives inanimate objects backstories. Holy cow what a fun mind, if not a bit weird. He is worth the price of entry alone and I look forward to seeing more of his brilliance onstage (a pun for those who were there last night).

One thing – is the sound guy deaf? Rob Harris’ V/O intro was painfully loud for the audience and I wasn’t the only one wincing. Yes, get our attention, stop us talking, but don’t leave us bleeding please.  

If you get the chance rock up to the fabulous Fringe Bar and catch these guys – some are definitely on their way. 

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