I haven’t been too a lot of shows when the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is on, but this year I’m starting off strong by seeing both big and smaller shows that the festival has to offer. To kick this season off, I checked out the preview show of Gavin Roach’s All The Songs I Can't Sing, a just under 50 minute show that is about just that; all the songs that Gavin Roach cannot sing.

It’s an amusing title which follows through in the show. Roach structures his show well, telling a funny story from his life which follows into a song which has special meaning with that story. This rinse and repeat idea works, but does become a little tiresome after awhile, although the show is quite short. Roach also changes costumes in between stories, which takes a little while meaning there are moments of nothingness on stage, however you can see the costume changes as a mirror on the wall reflects it from behind stage.

It is Roach’s personality which really sells the show, rather than his singing and jokes. Although it isn’t my kind of humour, I know people who would get a good laugh out of the way Roach acts on stage, in a very stylised gay performance which he constantly refers back too. His jokes don’t always land, but his personality does, and I would much rather a good personality with alright jokes to a bad personality with great jokes. Roach has a strong commitment to the stories he tells, and they’re very believable from the focus he puts into telling them, painting a good picture. On a side note, the use of swearing is done extremely well in addition, as only a few swear words are dropped but at opportune moments.

Although Gavin Roach’s performance is not my cup of tea, I can definitely see what he was going for with his performance. If he focuses more on playing up his performance, and adds a little more to the show than just singing and stories, then I think the overall performance would be great. Gavin Roach’s “All The Songs I Can't Sing” is currently on at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival til April 8th, so get in quick if you want to go see Gavin in action!

Written by Hamish Vallance

Photo by Julyan Stephens

Click here to listen to our interview with Gavin Roach