Ed Byrne 2007

I first saw Ed Byrne in New Zealand about 10 years ago (yes, children, I'm old...). I loved him then, even though I'll admit you there isn't any one thing he does that is groundbreaking. I'll admit it's partly the accent. What is it about Irish comedians? . But Ed also has that famous Gaelic charm in spades, which seems to let him get annoyed at those little things in life and actually seem fun to be around while he tells us about them.

Not a whole lot has changed since I saw Ed last time, but I can't say I'm unhappy about that. Ed has ditched the smoking on stage that was something of a trademark last time I saw him, and replaced it by swigging from beer or soft drink every minute or so, but he's still just so goddamned likable, even when he's commiserating about how difficult it must be for pedophiles during the Halloween season.

I left the show with my face hurting, not really from laughing for the whole time, but more from frequent laughs all sewn together with a constant grin of delight. And although he made a lot of what might be considered "yoof" culture pop references (rap, porn(?), film) my parents loved it too. Recommended.

Ed Byrne's "Standing Up & Falling Down" is playing two more shows, this time at the Forum Theatre (corner of Russell and Flinders Street), as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival: Sunday 22 April & Sunday 29 April. Book at the Comedy Festival Booking Office at the Town Hall, Swanston Street, or on his Comedy Festival page (this site also has some short clips from previous shows) . His website is www.edbyrne.com.

**By the way, the Comedy Festival website is simply brilliant, and something that all other festival sites should aspire to!

Review by Mark Tregonning