Harley Breen says that his father is a reverend, hence the title of his show. It's a promising set-up, although an audience hoping for stories and jokes about a Christian upbringing will be disappointed. The show does not live up to its titled potential, offering no insight or exploration into Christianity, and no comedy inspired by his father, who is in fact scarcely mentioned.

Harley Breen is confident and commanding on stage despite limp material and a clichéd opening about weather differences between Australia and Scotland. His commitment to whatever he is saying or doing renders his act watchable, rather than his jokes. The stories he shares are very superficial: finding out about sex, practising masturbation and smoking pot. There are a couple of particularly weak sections of the show. The first is a disconcerting 'political' protest against Australian Prime Minister John Howard that consists of dancing to the Gummi Bear song and holding up signs. The second is a confusing skit where Harley Breen imagines what he would have been like had he continued in his father's footsteps. In both examples, he does not seem sure of the joke he is making, and a lack of intelligence renders both pointlessly dull. Though wonderfully executed, the dance in particular earns him only laughs of embarrassment.

The central problem with Harley Breen - Son of a Preacher Man is that it tackles an area explored by many comedians. With no attachment to his material and a lack of openness or intelligent dissembling, Harley Breen has nothing original to say. His real-life experiences, such as being a virgin until 22 or becoming an atheist may be interesting if told with some sincerity or wit. However, there is no redeeming old jokes like 'Adam and Steve' which unfortunately recur throughout the show, and also his annoying habit of making huge physical gestures when role-playing, only needlessly to patronise the audience with 'of course, they didn’t really walk/speak/hit like that'.

Harley Breen is not an awful comedian. He performs professionally and competently, but he has written a show that does not contain any quality comedy.

Cast Credits: Performer - Harley Breen.

Company Credits: Writer - Harley Breen. Technical Operator - Gilded Balloon Staff. Producer - Harley Breen.

END

(c) Sara Pascoe 2007

reviewed Friday 17 August 2007 / Gilded Balloon

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008