Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night

There are so many terrific acts at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival that you’re spoiled for choice – which may be why showcase-style events are so popular. In the case of opera-singer/burlesque artist/hostess extraordinaire, Ali McGregor, there’s that great voice that turns as easily to comedy, art song, or opera.   And the Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night – at 10.30pm – has the added appeal of not knowing who will turn up on the glittering stage of the Famous Spiegeltent. The star turn, certainly, had wandered down after giving a show at the Town Hall – but there was plenty to amuse and charm before then. On stage throughout the show was the ‘buttress’ who looked familiar despite her waitress’s disguise. It was when she tried to throw the audience off the scent by mentioning Packed to the Rafters that she became immediately recognisable as Virginia Gay of Winners and Losers.   Gay has a fine comedic sense and made the most of her role as one-person cheer squad and audience gee-upper – but could have had better material and shorter, snappier exchanges at times. Her miming to cue-tags and witty one-liners (‘the mature-age students in the audience’) suggested Gay deserved more to work with.   McGregor too was ever-present, and in the spotlight for her songs, often performed in a throaty jazz style. Her rendition of The White Stripes’ ‘In the Cold, Cold Night’, however, drew on her operatic training for its power – and revealed keyboardist Simon Ross as an equally fine banjo player.   Talented guests came and went, to sing, strip (in discreet Edwardian fashion), dance and make us laugh, in a well-paced show. The greatest comedic talent came last: Rich Hall, with his familiar lugubrious expression and American drawl. Known for his frequent appearances on QI and his redneck character Otis Lee Crenshaw, Hall also has an unsuspected talent for on-the-spot song creation – with audience members the inspiration. His song about Sunshine (the suburb) was so fraught with irony it had the audience in tears of laughter and wanting more, despite the late hour.   It seems the guests vary from night to night, but Ali McGregor is definitely on to a winner with her Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night, especially in the magic ambience of the Famous Spiegeltent.   Rating: 4 stars out of 5   Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night The Famous Spiegeltent, Arts Centre Melbourne 28 March – 21 April   Melbourne International Comedy Festival www.comedyfestival.com.au 27 March – 21 April