MICF: Let’s Write a Book

Simon Keck won the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s prestigious Golden Gibbo  last year for his powerhouse show Nob Happy Sock and returns this year with the vastly different but no less fantastic Let’s Write a Book.

Simon wants to write a book. It’s something he says he’s wanted to do for a long time. In Let’s Write a Book he has decided to use the collective mind power of his audience to help him

He’s brought a selection of short stories and, with the help of technician and mood setter Ed, he’s going to tell us some of those stories. The audience gets to take part too.

There are ways to express approval for the stories: throwing balled up bits of paper at Simon. The audience also gets to supply the end to the stories. It keeps us engaged, not that we needed much help because Keck has written some beautiful stories and his charm and charisma keeps his audience’s attention firmly on the show.

In between the stories we hear a bit about Keck’s life, including his love of stories and where they came from and a particularly hilarious explanation as to why he has a very dark sense of humour. There’s also some casual word games with the audience, because why not?

All this serves to make the show feel more like a group of people hanging out then a stand up comedy show and that’s a really wonderful thing. The audience feels part of Keck’s world and as such feel like they are getting a lot out of the show.

Let’s Write a Book is a great show to see this festival. Funny, endearing and relaxed, it will suit just about anyone.