Having seen Sammy J at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for many years, you never know what to expect from each performance. We took our seats at Forum Melbourne, drink in hand, and the first thing we asked ourselves before the show was ‘is that Sammy J performing a satirical cover of Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn playing over the speakers?’ The answer was yes.
Australia’s most prolific satirist Sammy J delivers on his latest show Good Hustle; a show at its roots about exploring what it means to be Australian. Performing without the ABC lawyers present, he’s untethered, he’s unchained and he just doesn’t care. Bringing all of the characters you know and love from his time on the ABC over the last five years, Sammy performs the bits ‘you can’t show on TV’, inviting back everyone’s favourite segments and characters. From Government Coach, Playground Politics, National Yoga, bush poet SJ Paterson and the nation of Hookturnistan, a lot of ground is covered in the one hour show.
While this show contains hilarious songs you’d expect from a Sammy J show, including ditties about changing the date and being cancelled by the left, the focus is well and truly on the characters, as well as the extra special guests from both State and Federal parliaments. Sammy pulls all the strings to show you just what hustling is all about. You’ll come along for the joke that cost $2,000 to pull off, but you’ll stay for national pride.
Please be advised that crowd participation in Good Hustle is mandatory. Isn’t that right Tony*?
- Tony was picked out of the crowd on the night of our attendance. Your show may include another unwilling participant, who may or may not be named Tony.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2023 Venue(s): Forum Melbourne – Downstairs Dates: 30 March – 23 April (Thu-Sun only) Time: 30 Mar–2 Apr: 6pm Thu – Sat, 5pm Sun; 6 – 9 Apr: 6pm Thu, 7.45pm Fri/Sat, 5pm Sun; 13–16 Apr: 6pm Thu, 7.45pm Fri/Sat, 5pm Sun; 20 – 24 Apr: 6pm Thu, 7.45pm Fri/Sat, 5pm Sun Tickets: $30 – $48 Bookings: comedyfestival.com.au, 1300 11 10 11 & at the door