A clever, acerbic and flat-out hilarious play that is heaven for comedy nerds and sure to provoke many post-show debates, JKS: A Comedy (?) is a phenomenal new work from acclaimed comedian Tom Ballard.
Penning the script and playing one of the play’s five roles, this really gets down into the weeds of the essence of comedy, pondering what approach to comedy is the right one and what even are acceptable topics to use as fodder for gags in 2025.
What starts as a low-key chat between two comedians in a comedy club green room slowly morphs into a biting and at times challenging dissection on the different approaches to comedy, as more characters arrive in the green room, and the debate becomes more intense and heated as the night drags on.
The heart of the play sees Ballard’s Alex, who told controversial jokes in the past but thinks those types of jokes are best left there, and clashes with Jase (Kevin Hofbauer), a proudly “edgy” comedian who delights in telling off-colour, offensive jokes. Observing their conflict is veteran comic Chris (Nicky Barry), who has seen it all, the jaded and insecure Rhi (Jordan Barr) and the affable and uncomplicated “clown” May (Tiana Hogben), who enthusiastically employs every clichéd comedy prop in the book to get a laugh.
Playing out in real time, JKS doesn’t profess to have any answers, and nor should it, as the questions it raises will probably still be debated decades from now and the characters cleverly allow the audience to hear from all perspectives of the comedy scene.
JKS is cleverly structured as a series of conversations between these five characters, in which they’re all given the spotlight to share their views on comedy, cancel culture and the role of a comedian in the modern world, with the show’s running time of 75 minutes whizzing by thanks to some sharp writing and the expert direction of Ben Russell, himself an incredibly talented comedian and improviser.
The cast is uniformly brilliant, all bringing an air of authenticity to their roles, especially Barry who perfectly embodies the part of a veteran comic who is perplexed about what the comedy scene has become. Ballard is also excellent as Alex, in a part that seems to be somewhat autobiographical.
Hofbauer, from a dramatic acting background rather than comedy, blends in with his comedic co-stars perfectly, bringing interesting dimensions to an abrasive, somewhat obnoxious character who seems to delight in offending his colleagues and his audiences.
The always hilarious Barr sadly doesn’t have quite as much to do as her co-stars but nails every line she has with some expert comedic timing. Talented improv comedian Hogben, rounding out the cast, throws herself into an intentionally ridiculous role and elevates it by committing 100% to some of the corniest gags imaginable.
JKS packs so much into its relatively brief running time, but was so riveting that I could have sat through at least another hour of the topics and debates it raises. While it only has one more week to run at the 2025 Melbourne Fringe, this assuredly won’t be the last staging of JKS, and I can’t wait to see it again.
Playing at the Festival Hub: Trades Hall – ETU Ballroom until Sunday October 12. More information and tickets via www.melbournefringe.com.au
5/5 STARS
// Image from melbournefringe.com.au
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 