The Workers in Darling Street Balmain is a venue steeped in history, specifically as the birthplace of the Australian Labour Party (Balmain was the first of 45 Labor Electoral Leagues established by the NSW Trades and Labor Council in 1891)  and on Wednesday evening huge portraits of Bob Hawke, Gough Whitlam and Neville Wran looked down approvingly on proceedings.

After lashings of good finger food and liquid refreshment supplied by an generous open bar to put us all in a good mood, (one comic quipped that there probably would have been an even greater audience without the comedy) the night was kicked off by MC Jacques Barrett, –great material (even though he picked on yours truly mercilessly), great delivery and timing and an expert feel for his audience.

Comic number one was Ray Badran. Material was not as interesting or diverse but still above average; delivery was not.   But apart from continual swigging from a beer and an increasingly convincing impression of slurred inebriation, he held the audience. So far so good… Especially with the redoubtable Barrett back to lift the standard again.

Comic number two, Cameron James, let the night slip a little with a mixed bag of not so funny gags and an average delivery. Interval – more food, more drink, (thanks workers, well done),

Act Two and James was back in company of Jared Jekyll. (I’d hate to see Mister Hyde). The act started with inept clowning and slapstick as Jarred tripped over the mike lead and played clumsy – ho hum. The audience was bullied into becoming half the act in a mock exorcism. Then it sort of morphed into Nite Zoo – more discomfort for unfortunates who sat down the front (“What do you do for sexual gratification?”) and three examples of how not to use a recorded loop device where added volume failed to impress an increasingly restless audience. Stand-up 101 is know your audience and have some alternative stuff – or as I’m sure Hawkey would have shouted,  just get off!

MC Barrett promised that a large variety of artists to suit our tastes were on offer in weeks to come and I guess stand-up comedy is always a lucky dip. SO – well worth a look see as a welcome brand new comedy venue gets established.

BALMAIN’S BIGGEST LAUGH at The Workers, stand-up comedy on Wednesday nights from 7.30pm.