Aidan Jones: The Abersham Flat (MICF)

One of the takeaways from Aidan Jones' stand-up performance is his incredible knack for seeing comic potential in unlikely places. For most, the tale of The Abersham Flat would be banished to the annexes of forgotten memories and PTSD. But for Jones, it's an opportunity to make people laugh.

The story revolves around Jones' temporary relocation to the UK, where, like most Aussie expats, he ends up in a sharehouse that leaves little to the imagination. Here he meets Andy, a man who sounds like a side character in a bad Irvine Welsh fanfiction. But make no mistake, this loon is real.

While the crux of Jones' narrative is hooked to his bizarre housemate, it's in the divergences from the main story where the comic shines most. His explorations of love, loss and STIs are delivered with an effortless and vulnerable charm that is seldom seen on the stand-up stage, even from the most famous comic minds.

However, staying with Jones in these moments can be challenging, as he repeatedly stops to find the right words or to take a sip of his beer. Being wrenched from the story by these stumbles and hiatuses can be disconcerting, but Jones is always right there to pull you back in. Occasionally, he attempts to add heart to the piece by leaving an anecdote without a punchline. But unless done with absolute pitch-perfect precision this can feel hollow, and Jones doesn't quite manage to find the level he needs to make these corners work. However, it's commendable that he clearly wants to reach beyond regular comedy tropes, and Jones' overall presence is engaging, touching, and undeniably funny.

Some will probably find the story of The Abersham Flat too staggered a retelling to remain consistently engaged, but most will simply be caught off guard at just how incredible, entertaining and entirely true this crazy yarn is.

Aidan Jones presents The Abersham Flat until 7 Apr at Pilgrim Bar, part of the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.