Guy Montgomery – I Was Part Of The Problem Before We Were Talking About It

Guy Montgomery knows that no one is perfect. In this day and age, that’s truer than ever, but the NZ comic is trying his hardest to buck the trends of the patriarchy and kick off the shackles of white privilege. Easier said than done.

Contrary to the norm, Montgomery shines brightest when he’s heading off script and down unplanned tangents. The random vignettes prompted by audience participation and his own mind are perfectly suited for the comic’s off-kilter delivery, offering the purest essence of Montgomery comedy. Punters anonymously submit moments of personal shame for the stand-up to read out throughout the performance, and through these nuggets of interpersonal humiliation, Montgomery is able to showcase his unique comedic style at its strongest. He casually yet expertly breaks down a selection of life events that have caused crowd members hardship, and through this also eliminates the stigma attached to talking about them. The message of the show is one of embracing change and accepting past decisions for better or worse, and it feels as if Montgomery is kickstarting some introspection for many in the room.

I Was Part Of The Problem Before We Were Talking About It only really scratches the surface of shame, but it offers Montgomery and his crowd (specifically the white males in attendance) an opportunity to dip their toes in the water of some more serious contemplation. Considering how far this subject matter has been mined in the past, the show at times feels like a mild brushing off of its own potential, and stops somewhat short of where it could really go. 

Nonetheless, Montgomery is as hilarious as ever, and it’s a more than admirable step out of his comfort zone of silly and inconsequential stand-up. It’s incredibly refreshing to see him be so candid and upfront about his own past behaviour, and acts as an important reminder that change is constant.