Type: Comedy Festival, Stand Up, Dry
If You Liked: Ray O’Leary, Annie Boyle, Deadpan Humour
Nick Schuller’s show Dry Think, Therefore Dry Am is nestled into the Archive Room at the ever-bustling Trades Hall. Having already seen a few clips of his work, my nose was prepped and ready to snort – my nose was not let down. Standing in one place for plot relevant reasons, Schuller delivers a winding path of definitely (not) true stories with callbacks galore. And you’ll never guess – it is indeed quite dry.
Schuller is clean and effortless. Leaning into the best parts of dry comedy, he utilises the always hysterical trick of saying the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever heard with a deadpan face. Whilst maintaining the needed slow pacing, Schuller keeps everyone’s attention even when faced with some egregious but delightful puns. Drug addicted ghosts and loopholes in public liability insurance are somehow weaved in, and somehow incredibly funny.
Schuller tried out some crowd work and got a bit stumped when immediately stumbling on a family of a Magistrate, lawyer and law student and then pivoted to a man who worked in a mental health program for relationships. A doozy to say the least. Crowd work is always suspectable to being varied, but Schuller did seem to surrender before he got far.
I would recommend avoiding promotional clips of Schuller if you plan to go, as I did end up recognising a fair chunk of the jokes which is inevitable with a touring show. But regardless, even knowing the punchline to some of the set didn’t take much away from the joy of seeing it crafted in real-time.
If you’re stumped on what to see, Dry Think, Therefore Dry Am is a great set to walk into for anyone. Schuller has a great wide-spread appeal and is sure to find some way to tickle you.
See our other reviews from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the link below
Tickets and Practical Info for Dry Think, Therefore Dry Am at MICF 🎟️
TICKETS: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/dry-think-therefore-dry-am/
SEASON: 6 – 19 April
PRICE: $20-$27
TIME: 8:30pm | 7:30pm
VENUE: Trades Hall – Archive Room, Carlton
DURATION: 50 mins
RATING: 18+: Language – occasional coarse language
