“Dan Crowley's Debut Show at MICF Leaves Audiences in Stitches”
Dan Crowley's debut show at the 2023 Melbourne Comedy Festival, titled Fantastic.
Great Move.
Well Done, Dan (FGMWDD), was a comedic masterpiece that blurred the lines between farce and satire, refusing to conform to traditional expectations.
The night was filled with laughter and unexpected lessons.
Taking place in the intimate setting of “The Vault” at the Speakeasy Theatre, accessed through a hidden CBD back alley, Crowley, a preliminary finalist of the 2019 RAW comedy competition and winner of the University of Melbourne's comedy competition, delivered a solo festival debut like no other.
Right from the start, Crowley played with the audience's expectations.
He humorously requested everyone to keep their phones on during the show, promising to embarrass anyone who received a call, which was immediately followed by childhood photos of Crowley accompanied by a self-deprecating joke about being “racist,” before clarifying that he is actually half Sri-Lankan.
Throughout the evening, Crowley's comedy style aimed to provoke laughter through shock, employing hyperbole, subverted expectations, and daring content.
From reading trivia from Hitler's IMDb page to leading the audience in a game guessing if Liam Neeson had peed his pants in certain images, political satire took center stage.
The irreverent tone of the show reminded me of ABC's The Weekly with Charlie Pickering and Shaun Micallef: Mad as Hell, earning praise from Mad as Hell writer Alasdair Tremblay-Birchall.
Rather than following a specific narrative or theme, Crowley seamlessly transitioned between topics, using recurring images of the globe and acknowledging the chaotic state of the world.
While some segments appeared less polished than others, giving the impression that they were bits strung together rather than a cohesive show, an interlude featuring a satirical TED talk by “James Clarke” stood out for its sharp critique of contemporary society and social media.
FGMWDD relied heavily on irreverence and facetious humor, but there were also moments of sincerity.
With acute political awareness, Crowley condemned big bank CEOs for their crimes while also questioning the effectiveness of performative social justice on social media.
The show took a more serious turn as he delved into global poverty statistics and examined his own inaction, skillfully subverting expectations to conclude the performance.
Crowley maintained an affable presence throughout the show, engaging with the small yet appreciative audience through interactive voting segments and improvised banter.
As a rising star in live comedy, it was evident how Crowley had found his place on stage, having honed his skills at PowerPoint comedy nights.
Throughout the hour-long performance, he seamlessly incorporated multimedia elements, utilizing PowerPoint effects and even reenacting a Facebook Messenger exchange with screenshots.
Fantastic.
Great Move.
Well Done, Dan.
touched on various topics and yet remained cohesive, exploring the state of the world, cancellation culture, the origins of necrophilia (yes, really), and the job prospects of a Classics graduate.
It showcased the power of comedy in addressing political issues.
Based on this exceptional debut, audiences eagerly anticipate what move Crowley will make next.
