COMEDY REVIEW:Bob Franklin at WWCF

Some comedy relies on that wacky, off-the-planet surprise element to generate a laugh. But Melbournian comedian Bob Franklin weaves a humorous twist into content so commonplace, any human being will immediately recognise themselves and their lives at the heart of the joke.

With this ability, Bob Franklin charmed the socks off the Perth audience at the Wild West Comedy Festival. Well known local personality Andrea Gibbs opened the show with her outlandish skits; her crassly funny histrionics making quite a contrast to Bob Franklin’s signature nonchalance.

Franklin, you see, is laid back, almost laconic. He takes his time, pauses, rummages through his bag of props, giggles to himself… It’s a soothing, intimate style that takes some of the ‘performance’ out of that relatively artificial stand-up situation. In all his ordinariness, Bob Franklin feels more like someone you might meet at a party.

But his witty take on the mundane, his obvious comfort on stage and quick-fire response to the hecklers – and gigglers – in the audience was brilliant (although his rapport with the audience was somewhat thwarted by frequent glances at his watch).

So thank you Bob, you had me in stitches, and thank you to the Wild West Comedy Festival for once again producing a reliably uplifting performance.

Bob Franklin performed at the Regal Theatre as part of the Wild West Comedy Fest on Nov 14 and 15. To check out the other talent on offer at the Fest please visit www.wildwestcomedy.com.au