Rich Hall : Otis Lee Crenshaw

Rich Hall plays The Studio, Sydney Opera House from April 9 - 21, 2002.

 

 

A satisfying rich-ness

With the world seeming going to hell in a hand basket every day, we need something to make us laugh. This is where Rich Hall comes in. The American stand-up comedian, musician and social commentator has few equals when it comes to the fine but demanding art of making people chuckle.

In fact, his laconic delivery and perceptive but ever so slightly take on politics, culture and life in general usually provokes no so much laughter as virtually uncontrollable hilarity. So it was on the opening night of his recent Brisbane engagement.

If you saw Hall's show at last year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival, you'll be familiar with Otis Lee Crenshaw; his jailbird alter ego. This time around, although Otis gets to do his thing in the second half of the show, the first half features Hall doing what he does best. No one is safe from Hall's hilarious rapid-fire banter - from US President George W Bush to the woman sitting in the front row.

What makes him so outstanding as a comedian is that, while his observations are very funny, they're also plausible. So when he berates George Bush's pronouncement about the "axis of evil" as being taken from a comic book, you have to stop and think that it just might be true. >>>

 

 

In the second half of the show, Otis Lee Crenshaw, ex-con and unsuccessful country music singer, gets to strut his stuff. This part of the show is far more theatrical than the stand-up and, enlivened by some outstanding tunes, is a real crowd-pleaser. Otis brings Hall's improvisational skills squarely to the fore. From time to time, he'll ask members of the audience for information and within 30 seconds has incorporated it seamlessly into a song. On this particular evening, he took information from a teacher, a call centre operator and a graphic designer and worked it into the show.

The other outstanding feature of Hall's show is his encyclopaedic knowledge of the place he's visiting. He includes references to local landmarks, history, even place names into the show, making it highly relevant for audiences wherever he goes.

He didn't forget the classics though; from "Women Call it Stalking" to "Rodeo Man in the Shetland Islands", he had the crowd's toes tappin' and hands clappin' as he pumped up his better known tunes. This highlights an often-overlooked aspect of Hall's performance, as he's a damn fine musician as well as being a comedian. His backing band, the Black Liars, are no slouches with the guitar and double bass either.

As a comedian, Rich Hall is without equal. As an entertainer, pure and simple, he's amazing. This is one show that certainly should not be missed. Even if you have to borrow money, see it.

David Edwards

Send us your feedback on this article or anything else in The Blurb