one4review | On 12, Aug 2024

Tom Ballard is a very loud, very opinionated Australian who clearly harbours a lot of rage. He bounds on to the stage, and in the compact venue of the Monkey Barrel 2, you wonder if the microphone is entirely necessary.

He is a gay, socialist, Green voting atheist cyclist. So there’s quite a lot for him to tackle and convince the audience that his opinion, views and political beliefs are, of course, entirely correct.

He clearly has a lot to rage about. Not least last year’s Australian No vote on giving native Aboriginals more rights and a platform in Parliament. He compares the failure of the referendum to Brexit and there are many witty insults to the sheer stupidity and ignorance of the voting public in both countries.

The Americans in the audience are also singled out for some unapologetic mocking and taunting of the current state of their political issues and leaders.

The energy level and the relentless attack of all things that Tom is opposed to plus the sheer volume is all rather exhausting. Tom Ballard is a very talented performer who gives nothing less than 100 per cent of himself. A very entertaining hour of comedy.

4 stars
Reviewed by Margot

Monkey Barrel 2
July 29th to Aug 25th @ 16:20