COMEDY REVIEW: Just Jolks
11.05.2023 at Basement Theatre
This review is part of the 2023 Comedy Festival Lineup!
The NZ international comedy festival is in full swing with many talented comedians taking to the stage; among them is theatre and documentary director, house DJ, and all around funny man, Barnie Duncan. Upon entry, all of the audience members are handed a chopstick without explanation. So with a chopstick and Brown Ale in hand, I shuffle into the theatre and take my seat, not sure what to expect. Before long the show begins with a frantic Duncan wordlessly arranging his various props before finally emerging with a kingly white robe and a yellow pillow perched upon his head, resembling a regal and mustachioed egg. Hence the title of the show Just Jolks. Like yolks… get it?
Duncan’s Just Jolks, is a fast paced roller coaster of absurdist slapstick, quirky observation and just good old fashioned silliness. While it seemed to take Duncan a few minutes to shake off some initial nerves, he got into his element before long with hysterical laughter quick to follow. The entire show is a string of hilarious anecdotes, darting from a bizarre scenario involving a group of cyclists ramming their well-developed calves into a defenseless Duncan, to an erotic tale of his purchase of a pair of minxy sunglasses. Making good use of unexpected physical gags, including a “comedy stool”, which would quote Jerry Seinfeld quotes every time he tried to sit on it.
Despite the show’s title of Just Jolks, one could feel Duncan’s desire to leap and prance about the stage, making use of his physicality to our amusement. Duncan’s funniest gags often involve no words at all, one of which being his impression of a man who, “has no idea what’s going on.” Later he would do a topical impression of Wayne Brown (which was identical to his earlier impression, much to the crowd's enjoyment). Every aspect of Duncan’s performance is made funny by his wacky and unpredictable manner, even simple moments like going to drink a glass of water are more than enough fuel for a few laughs.
Duncan’s experience as a performer is more than evident and his ability to captivate an audience seems like second nature. Incorporating multiple forms of comedy and media, making use of music, physical form and clever props. He often brings his material full circle, making references to earlier jokes, eliciting not only laughs but making the show feel more concise amidst the seeming chaos of Duncan’s act. I wholeheartedly recommend seeing Barnie Duncan perform if you get the chance, and I’m sure you will! A genuine, unique and sincerely hilarious man!
And if you were wondering about the chopsticks, you’ll have to see him yourself to find out what they were for!
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