Heralding from Bangalore in India, and on tour in Australia, comedian Kenny Sebastian easily warmed his audience through clever dialogue and quips. He joked that the number of people attending was about the size of a cricket team, as the audience was small. However, there must have been around 80 or so present. Not a full house, and the challenge of being a Tuesday night and that he didn’t even know Brisbane existed, had him questioning his manager – too funny!
Familiarising himself with the audience through asking about their careers/background etc proved to be insightful as there were doctors, architects, lawyers and even a geneticist in the room, and Sebastian patiently connected with almost everyone before launching into his fast-paced comedic material.
A plethora of amusing relationship conversations, witty and playful, with a slightly weird segment on fat babies was amusing for sure. However, his best work was yet to come, with a segment based on birds. References to personal experience, and observations of birds such as the raven, which in Sebastian’s interpretation was ‘like a crow with an arts degree,’ while ‘pigeons have no confidence,’ were augmented by his onstage physical antics and were thoroughly entertaining – let alone the chicken, eagle and ostrich references that heralded a comedic crescendo. Incredibly funny and supported wholeheartedly by an audience in stitches. Bizarre explanations championed the gags. Further to that, his ‘cuddle segment’ and ‘love burrito’ routine were gold.
The evening climaxed with some splendid songs and guitar playing, showcasing a beautiful voice and musical ability. A charming display of talent. Sebastian presented a tune about keeping mobile phones on silent at gigs, and a sweet rant on good looking people. Lastly, the words he collected from the audience became part of an impromptu song about a man in shorts in the audience near the front of the stage. This was the jewel in the crown of his musical jibes. Taunting the guy with lines like ‘doesn’t cut costs or look at love like a tax benefit’ and ‘makes love like a gorilla,’ brought more laughs thunderous applause, but you had to be there to really get it.
Sebastian masterfully ended the song with ‘He’s a love alchemist,’ which rounded off the evening on a high with his poetic prowess.
Kenny Sebastian connects well with audiences in a heartfelt and eclectic manner, interacting wherever possible in the moment. The night ended too soon, yet left us all in a warm place. A good night out for a slice of stand-up comedy. Sebastian is cool, and funny; I recommend the experience.
The Tivoli is a great space for gigs, and served this occasion well; a comfortable and warmly lit venue, a favourite of many Brisbanites and visitors alike.
4 stars: ★★★★
Kenny Sebastian – Live
The Tivoli Brisbane
20 November 2018
www.knowkenny.com/
