Type: Comedy Festival, Stand Up Comedy
If You Liked: Frankie McNair, Nina Oyama
One comedian worth your hard-earned money is Jordan Barr, whose latest show, Choir Girl, is a genuine treat worthy of your time. Quite literally up the road from Town Hall, Barr’s latest show sits right at the beating heart of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Walking in and amongst all the great art on offer, it is hard not to feel excited this time of year.
Despite being the sort of person who has participated in 23 flash mobs and the go-to singer at her primary school, Barr has never been bullied. This is partly down to being genuinely likeable and never short on friends growing up and partly because she bullies herself enough to make up for it.
There are some truly laugh out loud moments in Choir Girl, like the superiority Barr felt at being at the top of the call sheet for her high school theatre shows, or her grandfather’s outrageous name before he decided to change it.
With a background in theatre and radio, Barr is right at home in front of an audience. There is an unmistakable calmness in Barr’s delivery, a calmness that only someone truly confident in their abilities can pull off. And with roots at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival dating back to 2016, Barr commands a presence unlike any other. Rather than hound her audience for laughter and applause, she stands back, letting her natural wit and charm do all the talking; something I appreciate in a comedian.
While Barr’s anecdotes are unique and wholly based on lived experiences, there is still a relatability to them also. Even on opening night, Barr was still working out her routine, throwing in some off-the-cuff jokes that she later regretted and assured us would not appear in later performances. But they were very humourous, nonetheless.
Adults of all ages will undoubtedly get a kick out of Choir Girl. Accessible, while still retaining just enough individuality. Barr utilised a tasteful amount of crowd work but never strayed too far from her pre-written script. It is hard to find any faults in Barr’s show, mainly because there aren’t any.
Choir Girl is, simply put, an unmissable. If you’re in the mood for a good laugh, then look no further than this truly hilarious show. There really is no better place to be in April than Melbourne. With the Victorian government announcing free travel until the 30th of April, Melburnians with a little extra lying around should make the trek into the city and enjoy some of the excellent comedy on offer at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
See our other reviews from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the link below
Tickets and Practical Info for Choir Girl at MICF 🎟️
Ticket Prices: $28 – $34 Laugh Pack
Time: 7.10pm| 6.10pm
Venue: The Westin – Four
Duration: 50 minutes
Suitable for audiences 15+: Language – occasional coarse language
Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/choir-girl/
