A Review of My Own Show by Aaron Gocs

A few months ago I completed my Melbourne International Comedy Festival show “Classic Stitch-up.” It was great and had lots of fans come out to see it. The only thing that didn’t go great was the critical acclaim and reviews which I deserved and expected, but did not receive.

I had a few but they were crook. Performers rely on reviews to show the public that their show is worth watching. Positive quotes can be used on posters for future shows and promotions, so in order to mitigate future economic losses and damage to my reputation, I’ve decided to write my own review

Aaron Gocs’ took the stage like an absolute king.

Aaron Gocs in “Classic Stich Up” (★★★★½)

Aaron Gocs’ took the stage like an absolute king. He walked on stage with such grace that you would never have known he hadn’t washed himself in weeks due to his shower being broken. As he grabbed the mic you could tell he was at one with the greats of Australian comedy if not World comedy, move over Con the Fruiterer and Trevor Marmalade. Not since Ozzy Ostrich has Australia had such a likeable and hilarious comedy personality.  With the grace of Dicky Knee, the class of Plucka Duck and the cool showmanship of Wilbur Wilde this man sure knows how to please an audience.

Gocs opened the show with a one-liner that didn’t get the standing ovation it deserved. The crowd were clearly too stunned at the level of joke writing on display.  One person appeared to stand and give an ovation but walked out instead when they realised they were in the wrong show (they had tickets to Mick Molloy’s show “Mick’s Business”)

They say you shouldn’t wear your influences on your sleeve strongly but it is clear that Gocs grew up idolising Mr Bean, Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler as there are subtle nods to these classic comics and their style’s throughout his show.

The 11pm timeslot of “Classic Stitch-Up” leads one to believe there will be a crude style of humour that is to be expected from late night comedy. This is not the case though as Gocs does not resort to coarse language, except for a few times when he forgets his lines and screams into the microphone “oh shit i f*cked it up again, i’m such a dunce, why cant i get things right?! They’re going to take the kids again, i just know it, can’t catch a bloody break in this life!”. He said this with such conviction that the audience started to feel genuinely concerned.

However this was part of the artistry, deep down they all knew Gocs to be a great father and performer and weren’t quick to judge him for forgetting his lines. After all comedy is pretty bloody hard, an hour is a lot of material to remember, where else do you have to talk for an hour?

Gocs opened the show with a one-liner that didn’t get the standing ovation it deserved.

It is clear to see the level of dedication that went into cultivating Gocs’s body and mind in the lead-up to presenting this show. He is in peak physical condition, a testimony to the sacrifice of only having a quarter chicken and chips for lunch every day instead of the regular half chicken and chips.

The great comedians in history have always had audience interaction and in this department Gocs does not disappoint. At one point he passes around a two litre bottle of Big M choccy milk for the audience to have a swig of, this shows a strong connection between performer and audience – Gocs believes in not being seen as bigger than those he is performing to. Furthermore, a thirsty audience will not laugh; once the choccy milk is flowing the laughter is soon to follow. This was a wise move by Gocs.

Gocs believes in not being seen as bigger than those he is performing to. 

Overall I give “Classic Stitch-Up” four and a half stars, the show loses half a star for being too good… you have to draw a line somewhere. Word on the street is one of my rival journalists at a major newspaper in town didn’t give this show a good review, I wouldn’t put too much credence in that as he usually writes in the gardening section of the newspaper anyway.

If you ever get the chance to see Aaron Gocs, make sure you do. After all, in the words of Molly Meldrum “do yourself a favour and watch Gocsy… and go the saints!”  

Aaron Gocs is a comedian who enjoys a good feed, good jokes and the occasional stitch up. 

You can find a few more top reads from the bloke who loves a top feed here, here, here and here.