The story of ‘Modern. Contemporary.’ covers Josh Earl’s life from growing up in a place called Burnie in Tasmania found off the northwest coast. Earl does his best to paint a picture of what growing up there was like, so you never feel lost like I thought I would be, having never been there.
There are hilarious stories about the town’s mayor begging Josh to stop making jokes about the town on TV. The main focus of the story, however, is when Josh needs to pick up another subject in his last year of school and chooses dance. What follows is his journey through learning this and embarking on a tour with some hilarious home movie footage to accompany the show. While there isn’t much explored about the tour itself, It is a long span of time to cover in such a tightly packed show.
Josh Earl is a natural storyteller. He has a way of making everything entertaining and interesting while still being able to inject multiple layers of humour and heart that only a truly talented comedian can do. Josh has a 17-year history with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, so it should come as no surprise that his shows are this good.
While there isn’t much in terms of the stage or set designs, this is a comedy set and Josh is enough of a character and well-seasoned performer who is very aware of the space and how to inhabit it. The audience clearly loved the show with many laughs, cheers, and applause during the night.
This was my first-time seeing Josh Earl and I cannot wait to go back and to see more of his previous works and stand-up history as ‘Modern. Contemporary.’ is poignant, intimate, and incredibly hilarious.
Josh Earl has crafted a flawless show in ‘Modern. Contemporary.’ – It is an exploration of an awkward time in everyone’s life when you are thrown into the world and left to figure out who and what you want to be. Exploring post-high school and becoming a performer against family standards in a small town in Tasmania is entertaining just in itself. Josh has the smarts, heart, and talent to turn this into a well-written and perfectly executed show.
Josh Earl‘s ‘Modern. Contemporary.’ is playing at the 2022 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until the 24th of April.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.joshearl.com.au
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2022/shows/modern-contemporary