Introducing Beau Heartbreaker

Over the PA, in this 30 seater venue, a woman's voice introduces Beau Heartbreaker and a few moments later, beefy butch Beau swaggers on to stage. Well no, it's hardly a convincing visual impression of a bloke. The goatee and sideburns are no more than brown paint, but vocally - he is stunning. A husky, smoky voice, laid back country drawl, and, when unleashed, a range like Jeff Buckley's - No, really.

The songs are simple, punctuated by spoken comments on a range of topics dear to a country boy - the drought, finding love, the wisdom of his mum and the teens upsetting his cows. The character was uncomplicated and some of the jokes, you could see where they were going, but in this case only made them more satisfying. Rather you knew the punchline or ending you wanted and what made it work was the timing. The timing was excellent. Really flawless, very satisfying, to have the chorus delayed just that moment to look at the audience or scratch his nuts - or interrupt with a gripe about his neighbour water usage, as though he was holding forth in the local - before resuming his upbeat song.

The character kept delivering, the jokes got better, the songs sillier and the singing really did impress me. I hope Beau will be supporting regular musical acts around in Melbourne, I'd bring friends and cheer.

You can have your steak and eat it.

Introducing Beau Heartbreaker
17 - 29 April
See the Comedy festival website.

Review by David Benady