After enjoying one of his fellow antipodean and equally close to the bone comics, I was advised by various friends, flyers and general festival goers to go and see Brendon Burns. I then realised that this was the guy that won last years if.comedy award, the guy I was disappointed to miss last time round. I don’t think he used last years material again this year.
Burns took a while to get into any sort of rhythm, partly due to an audience member who was overly enthusiastic/inebriated. Burns dealt with this promptly and professionally, although a number of people who saw last years show were left wondering if this was staged or genuine. Without any real focus to the show Burns manages to deliver a handful of gags although its not too original to poke fun at Barrymore and Princess Diana. However, I’ve never seen anyone hold a vendetta against the Quebecois and this was definitely the high point for me.
By the end of the show I couldn’t help but think this show was directed at his cult following and that he felt he didn’t need to try as hard this year as he won the festival’s highest accolade last year. Unlike some, I didn’t find Burns overly loud mouthed and offensive. I’d give him another chance and hopefully he’ll try next time.
2/5 
Libby Pollock
