Comedy fest: Stephen K Amos, Laughter Is My Agenda (Review)

INTERNATIONAL comedy circuit regular Stephen K. Amos is back with his new stand up show Laughter Is My Agenda at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Shirlaine Tse checks it out.

From the get-go, it is clear why Amos has stayed on the circuit for so long and garnered such popularity: he is a genuinely talented comedian.

This time round, Amos promises to reveal everything about his routine to the audience and share the mechanics of stand up comedy, all the in the name of education and research.

Of course, this is not his real intention, which is stated clearly in the title of the show. The show begins with great promise and there is a great routine, as Amos, armed with a clipboard, does “market research”. However, the rest of his scripted gags felt a little flat, especially the tangent about growing up in a large family.

Amos is well known for audience interaction and if you are not keen on being an active part of his show, sit anywhere but the front.

It is in the unscripted moments that Amos is truly, hilariously funny. His off-the-cuff remarks are witty and his ability to run with what he is offered is remarkable.

Amos’s years of experience pays off handsomely as he weaves audience responses throughout the show and milks them for all they are worth.

Going to see Amos live is a little like unwrapping a present: you can make an educated guess about what you are going to get but you can never be sure of what is inside.

Laughter is My Agenda is playing from now to April 22 everyday except Mondays in the Main Hall of the Melbourne Town Hall, cnrr Swanston and Collins streets. Tickets range from $35 (Tightarse Tuesday) to $39.50 for concession and $42.50 full price. To book, or for more details, visit the Melbourne International Comedy Festival website.