KEY POINTS:
If the mark of a good comedian is they still have you laughing the next day, Josie Long is some kind of magical comic fairy. For she can make people laugh, who weren't even at her show.
Trying Is Good comes complete with a handmade "official magazine" full
of puzzles, comic strips and collages that will make anyone laugh even if they don't know who Long is.
The cover of the magazine features Long's own version of Edward Hicks' painting The Peaceable Kingdom. The Quaker artist is an idol of Long's, having painted 61 versions of the same scene. As Long explains at the beginning of her show, she loves anyone who makes an effort. No matter how misplaced that effort may be.
Fortunately Long's efforts are not misplaced. Trying is Good is a delightful hour of whimsy that will not only make you laugh, it will leave you feeling better about life.
From Weight Watchers - which Long compares to Scientology - to her quest to meet the bread-lebrities of the world (celebrities of the bread-making industry), Long's silly yet enchanting humour is a welcome change from the brash and crass comedy of past festival acts.
Long would have admired the efforts of the preceding act at the Classic Basement, Medium Rare. Featuring four young comedians - no longer raw but not quite well done - the show was an inspiring insight into the future of New Zealand comedy.
First to take the stage was 16-year-old Rose Matafeo, who delivered a perfectly timed, well executed set. Sticking with what she knew, Matafeo discussed the youth of today, and her concerns over modern-day toys. Just what message are Bratz dolls sending to your children? "That if you replace S with Z you will appear stylish and elegant."
18-year-old Steven Boyce served up the edgiest set of the newcomers, discussing domestic violence, teen sex and a sexual act with a Steinlager bottle. "Eww," cried the crowd. "Yeah, I know. Steinlager. Gross!" replied Boyce.
The star of the evening, however, was Wellington lass Jim (it's a childhood nickname) Stanton, who delivered an easy and entertaining set about weight loss, travelling through India and Wellington's street punks.
But if you're looking for effort, you can't go past Rhys Mathewson and his energetic set on Star Wars, his inability to get a girlfriend and - the piece de resistance - tap hop. As the crowd watched while Mathewson laced his tap shoes, there was an uneasy feeling things were about to go horribly wrong. But Mathewson - a trained dancer - pulled off the routine marvellously with equal parts talent, gusto and humour.
Trying is good. And if you make the effort to see any of the acts at the Classic Basement this week, you will be richly rewarded.
* Medium Rare (7pm) and Josie Long (8.30pm) appear at the Classic Basement until Sat 26 April.
