REVIEW: CRAIG HILL IN JOCK’S TRAP

2013 MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL

REVIEW: CRAIG HILL IN JOCK’S TRAP

VENUE AND DATES: THE FAMOUS SPIEGELTENT, UNTIL SUNDAY APRIL 21, 2013.

ASSESSMENT: This bonnie laddie is at his best when singing and impersonating gay icons.

STAR RATING: 3.

THE EVER SO STYLISH CRAIG HILL - SUPPLIED.

Resplendent in head to toe red, including a red leather kilt with sporran, bald, gay, Glaswegian stand-up comedian, Craig Hill, exploded onto the stage of a jam-packed Spiegeltent last night, highland flinging it in crazed aerobics instructor fashion to Madonna’s “Girl Gone Wild”.

The impish, cheeky, former hair-dresser did not, however, sustain that manic energy or excitement during his 60-minute routine.

Aside from references to the seamier side of gay male sex - expected from gay male comedians playing to predominantly straight audiences - Hill’s routine is comically conventional, lazy even.

Hill appears to have been influenced by masterful gay comedian, Julian Clary, who also structures his routines around good-natured bantering and riffing with audiences.

So, for much of his routine, Hill, speaking in that wonderful Glaswegian accent, asks some audience members, especially those seated front row, where they come from and what they do. Hill, who loves our Aussie accents, confesses to having a gift for identifying gays in his audience and what jobs people hold down.

Far more interesting and enjoyable were Hill’s skilful, clever, impersonations of singers Cher, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears (who sings like she’s bring up bile), and gay icon, Barbra Streisand (sounds like she’s drowning under water). Hill impersonating Madonna singing with an Aussie accent is especially funny.

His gay version of Petula Clark’s 1960’s classic, “Downtown”, renamed “Newtown”, has us clicking our fingers, swaying, and singing “Newtown”, and highlights Hill’s impressive singing skills.

If you are at all shy, avoid the front rows.

BY: JOE CALLERI.

NB: REVIEW ALSO PUBLISHED ON HERALD SUN ONLINE, THURSDAY APRIL 18, 2013.