Morning:
8°c
Bruce Dessau's rating
, Brendon Burns has simmering career
By
Bruce Dessau
6 May 2009
Having won the if.comedy award in 2007, Brendon Burns’s career is simmering nicely: Hollywood meetings, a novel and, most recently, this new show, which he has just performed in his native Australia. While no landmark work compared with his unforgettable prize-scooping set, it shows that success has not mellowed this amiable controversialist.
The theme, as ever with Burns, is the nature of offensiveness, illustrated here by angry riffs about Steve Irwin, Barack Obama and Madonna. Not exactly box-fresh but some flu references add topicality.
Class is a recurring motif. The comedian might resemble a loutish loudmouth but, he points out, in his hometown Perth he is considered as posh as Prince William. He underlines this brilliantly by recalling how he had to dumb down to be understood in a local shop. This is no all-singing, all‑dancing production, more Burns unplugged. He even sits down for a while, which feels oddly radical. He is particularly pertinent on race, miming the instantly familiar awkward smile white liberals adopt to prove they are not racist and arguing that in Oz prejudice is blatant, here it is latent.
After a poor post-victory show in 2008 Burns is back on track on stage. Hot if not scorching.
Until Saturday (020 7478 0100, www.sohotheatre.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (5)
Burnsie is right Brucie - it was a great gig last night, though I was the only one to put my hand up when asked about GTA/stabbing fat people 
I confess I did a google image search on Bruce - I can't really see the hobbit resemblance, though to be fair to Brendon, it sounds as if he may have seen his feet...
- Yasmin, London, 06/05/2009 14:34
Report abuse
lol at the first comment, he knew he was getting a star knocked off for being rude to bruce..
it was a really nice set, especially the bits about america, australia and taking his girlfriend to meet his fam. brendon burns is less scary and funnier than i thought..
- Son, West London, England, 06/05/2009 14:10
Report abuse
Brendo,
I was there! I was one of the "lesbians" in the front row. You get a big fat BRAVO from me! I loved how you made the polite man in the seat to the left of me squirm and look around sheepishly everytime he dared to let out a chuckle.
LOVED IT HARD.
Well done matey, come back soon.
Mandu x x
PS: i'd love to see you and Brucie get it on, next time eh?
- Mandu, London, 06/05/2009 13:28
Report abuse
Brendon, 5 stars from me mate. Esp, the n-word/house of lords bit. You made us feel great. Unlike the staff who locked us in the bar toilets, had to get the police to break in and let us out, everybody who works there had gone home! Shame you weren't stuck with us hehe heh, and Bindy too!
Big Sal n Mands x x x
- Sally And Mandu, Front Row Lezzers, London, 06/05/2009 13:23
Report abuse
3 ***? ??
Awwwwww c'mon Brucie! I stormed it on a Tuesday!! I'll be the first to admit to an average gig. Why lie? Is it because I called you a hobbit? I was just teasing. C'mooooon Brucie don't be stuck up sweetie. We can still make the sweetest of love. Come back honey, she meant nothing to me I swear.....
No. Wait. That's an entirely different scenario.
Admittedly, I got three stars for that too.
Bam!
- Brendon Burns, London, 06/05/2009 12:34
Report abuse
