Stand Up For Mehdi (MICF)

Being a reviewer is a cushy job: free tickets to comedy for a couple of sentences and some stars? We're a privileged bunch. So when something like Stand Up For Mehdi comes along, and we can use the platform for some real social change, it's hard to say no.

MC'd and organised by the always-brilliant Tom Ballard, the not-for-profit showcase centres around the story of Mehdi Savari, who fled his home of Iran for fear of death. Savari spoke out against his home country in the form of comedy, and now in the limbo of Manus Island, he performs regularly for the other detainees to lift their spirits. It's a vital message to send to the governments and the citizens of Australia: as human rights lawyer Daniel Webb points out on the night, the people in detention are just trying to be people. Among these humans are entertainers and visionaries, with the same dreams and desires that shape our diverse country. With local and international comics taking to the stage in support of Savari and of course the many others in detention; the notion of change via comedy is well and truly on display.

Ballard begins with some scathing indictments on the government, Gen-Y'ing the night with memes galore. David O'Doherty is on hand to bring the laughs as he does so well, bringing his midi keyboard grooves and kick-starting the evening on a spectacular high. Followed swiftly is local comic veteran Judith Lucy, who injects her trademark brazenness into the night while also addressing the fresh wound of John Clarke's passing. "He would have loved this more than anyone," Lucy declares, speaking fondly of the satirist's kind-heartedness and passion for comedic free speech. It's a sombre note for Lucy to leave on, but an essential message of hope and solidarity for Savari.

"The notion of change via comedy is well and truly on display."

Claire Hooper and South African comedian Loyiso Gola double over the crowd back-to-back, celebrating their individual diversity in the white-male-dominated medium that they thrive. Above all else, this is a show that wants to rejoice in the inviting nature of comedy, and what that could teach to our politicians. We're here to point a damning finger at the lack of change, and Hooper and Gola are pros at it.

Next up, comic and Pakistani immigrant Sami Shah manages to equate male orgasm to poverty and homelessness in the most hilarious of ways. Shah may know a little more of Savari's plight than the rest of the line-up, and his tales of Third World journalism and becoming an Aus citizen are genius.

As if that weren't enough just to satisfy any old comedy show, the enigmatic UK mastery of Daniel Kitson brings the night to a new level. Admitting himself that he doesn't really "do" short comedy spots, Kitson rises to the challenge and brings seven minutes of pure comic joy. It's a shame to see him go, but the audience are in for a big final treat.

Ballard alludes early on in the night that one of the acts on tonight don't even have a MICF show on to plug, and are doing the gig purely for the support factor. A shuffling on stage pushes three mics to the front, and Tripod emerges to uproarious applause. Local experts of musical comedy, Tripod indulge the crowd in some of their favourite hits, before stunning with phenomenal harmonies on the Nina Simone track I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free. The cover, Tripod reveal, was hastily put together at the behest of Ballard for the big closer of the night, but the trio make it seem like they've been playing it for years.

It's difficult to not rate a show such as this highly without any regard for the talent on offer. The premise and the intention of a charity performance is such a good and wholesome pursuit that a critique of the performance becomes somewhat irrelevant. Instead, the message that any recounting of the night can relay, is to simply offer help to those who need it (Human Rights Law Centre, who supported the evening, are always taking donations here). However, be it luck or Ballard's brilliant networking that led to this line-up, the night is a total and utter success on comedy alone. Watching these comics come together for such a worthwhile cause is inspiring, and it gives hope that one day very soon, Mehdi Savari will be joining them on stage.