Daniel Kitson
Daniel Kitson @ Nova 1
9:45pm, Thu 9 Mar 2006
I saw Daniel Kitson in 2004 on the recommendation of some UK friends; they were spot on the money, he was simply brilliant. And so, on my birthday – traditionally a day of dubious shows for me – I figured he’d be a lock for a good show. I wasn’t disappointed in the slightest; he was in fine, thought-provoking form.
“Thought-provoking?” I hear you cry, the words sounding almost offensive when you associate them with a comedian. Well, yes – as well as poke fun at the stupid things in our world (as per pretty much every other comedian), Kitson also challenges us to question why it’s actually funny, and whether it’d be a good idea to change our collective behaviour so that there’s no longer anything to laugh at.
At least, that’s what I think.
Aside from a snide dig at his performing neighbour Akmal, the obvious targets are there – meat-head male magazines, reality TV shows, The Advertiser Fringe reviews – but the diatribe that connected most with me involved Bands That You Love. In re-telling his experiences at Ben Folds and Lemonheads gigs, Kitson struck a chord that anyone who resents their love becoming populist fodder.
Ace.