
MICF 2015: Reviews #3 – by Lucy Watson
Marcus Ryan
Love Me Tinder 2: The Untold Stories
Melb Town Hall
Mon 7.15pm
The Downstairs Lounge
Tue-Sun 6.30pm
Simon Keck has become quite the wild card in the past few years. He’s a man who confidently takes on the big issues – the meaning of life and death – and so you walk into his show not really knowing what you’re going to get, but knowing it will be memorable. This year is no exception. An incredible wordsmith, Keck’s storytelling skills are outstanding, and he manages to take the audience to some really dark places, while keeping them laughing all the while. Like a comedic Brother Grimm, even when you think he can’t go there, he does, twisting his tale into the darkest corners of the human existence. And this is where his real power lies. His material, in the hands of others, would be sure to offend, but his performance and use of language allows him to get away with things others wouldn’t. In this show he has also created an alter-ego of epic proportions: a character so flawed and repugnant that Keck is able to take the audience even further. He doesn’t just toe the line, he flaunts it, and you find yourself laughing, and thinking “did he really just do that?” simultaneously. There was a fair bit of smutty material and even though I definitely laughed throughout, he’s certainly a smart enough comedian that he would be great without it. You do get the feeling though, that he enjoys pushing the boundaries, seeing how far he can take it. Having said all that, Keck’s shows always have a purpose, and always give an insight into humanity. He uses theatre, comedy, character and story like a master. Not for the faint hearted, but certainly one of the most challenging and memorable acts on the scene right now.
Imperial Hotel
Mon-Sun 9.157-19 Apr
Tue-Sun 10.15pm