It's always refreshing to see a show that bucks comedy convention; whether it's good or bad, it's often just nice to see something different. Angus Gordon's new hour Stand Up (Aquatic) falls firmly in the former category.
The Brisbanite and most recent winner of Best Newcomer down in Melbourne has an unshakeable confidence. While his crowd-work might seem stiff to some, it's a marvel to see him keep a straight face when trying to coax an answer out of people.
The show is sandwiched between two of Gordon's marvellously creative short stories, one about a Jesus-like figure named Trevor and the other about getting his dead grandma's head grafted onto his body. They are both just as fever dream-esque as they sound, but incredibly engaging. However, because so much of the evening is very left-of-centre there is almost a feeling within the room that people are unsure when to laugh.
The answer is: they should always be laughing. Whether Gordon was talking about cannibalism or cricket, his absurd sense of humour and unflappable deadpan delivery made for one of the most interesting and thought-provoking shows of the festival so far.
