Almost missed the best show

Melbourne Comedy Festival wrap up

The last weekend of the comedy festival, and I was itching to go see one last show. Digging through the pages of shows on off, I settled with the Pajama Men. They were like a mystical creature - something everyone spoke about with high praise, but seen only with the off sighting. Or a shell of a cicada, a stamp of a big foot, the crumbs on the bottom of a baking dish. I could not find any videos or demo clips on them, so I went in pretty fresh, not knowing what to expect, relying purely on the word on the street.

I meet some mates at the box office about an hour and a half before showtime. I'm the first to view the board and notice it has a big red "SOLD OUT" sticker on the show. What twists the knife even more is that people are raving about how good they are at the box office. A group debate while we are in line leads to Eddie Ifft, an American comedian that is also quite well reknown.

By the time we get to the front of the line, we have already heard there is 1 ticket left. The girl at the ticket stand confirms on her computer. I don't know what made my brain flick on but it felt like it did for some reason. Instead of curling into a ball and excusing myself out of line to make another decision, I asked "can I have tickets to the Pajama Men?"

"I think they are sold out." She said
"Can you check?" I say in the same breath.
"Um..... oh....yes (as she clicks away on her keyboard). I can do it. How many tickets do you need"

It felt like I had won something. It was a small victory, but I was going to see the Pajama Men.

They didn't disappoint. Completely random, funny, fast paced and well put together. Think of skilled actors doing character switches to a storyline with improv on the fly. The two guys really get into character and suck you into the show, then make you laugh and keep you intrigued.

The next day I found they had won the Barry award at this years comedy festival (best show in 2009). Keep an eye out for them!