The sweet and chocolaty Easter long weekend was the perfect pairing for a showcase of unsavoury, professional comedy. Jimmy’s Den provided the homely vibes for a classic night of raw gags in front of a few rows of captivated onlookers.
One can’t really be too sure of what to expect at The Last Stand, and this evening was no exception, dishing out a mixed bag with a bit of everything. The jokes are rough and the material uncertain, at times drawing blank stares from the crowd, but it’s what makes it all the more appealing. The performers are ballsy and comfortable delivering material to warm up the viewers and get them involved.
The MC for the evening, RAW State Finalist Glenn Grimwood, is the kind of guy you just want to hug. Grimwood kept the night rolling with a consistent flow of self-deprecation and tales of his struggles with the friend zone. First up for the night was king of zingers Cameron McClaren, who shared his take on growing up in Midland and what it’s like to be famous in the neighbourhood for the wrong reasons. McClaren’s strong wit and affable personality made for an enchanting performance. Another highlight, Jamie Mykaela created a memorable experience by taking crowd participation to the next level. Armed with a ukulele, Mykaela worked her way through the unsuspecting audience members, creating intimate connections with her cabaret-influenced charm.
It’s a pretty cool concept when you think about it: two hours of undeterred personalities voicing their wild thoughts and ideas in front of an exposed audience who are willing to hear them. An open mind and a readiness to let down your guard is required, but you go home with a smile on your face at the end.
The headliner for the night, Canadian Bryan O’Gorman, won hearts with his dark and absurd observations about daily life. O’Gorman, who has been featured on MTV and The Comedy Network, also made up half of Boomerangs & Beavertails Part 3 at this year’s Fringe World Festival. A free spirit, O’Gorman picked up laughs with his remarkable and creative impressions, particularly his take on a ‘hoser’, which O’Gorman explains as “the Canadian equivalent of a bogan”.
Words by Lee Robinson
The Last Stand runs on the last Sunday of every month at the Jimmy’s Den in Northbridge.