There's no doubt that Sammy J brims with talent and is supercharged with confidence. From the moment the comedian shimmy J'd his way onto the stage, the Forum Theatre sprang to life for his show Good Hustle.
Opening the show with energy and pizzazz, Sammy J had the audience hooked from the offset, and we felt left in the hands of a true professional. Best known for his sketch characters on ABC, Sammy is truly jazzy, jolly and a Jack of all trades.
As is the case for any ABC-focused content, there was the expected social criticism-focused line-up of jokes that covered the depths of all things Australiana. But for a politically disengaged Australian citizen like myself, a handful of references to politicians occasionally drifted over my little brain. However, for most of the sketch performances, the references did not matter, given the unbridled piss-taking of politicians that could easily be copied and pasted slapped onto the face of any ol’MP.
Even for those unfamiliar with his characters, the comedy of Sammy’s show pierced through all his well-adorned fake facial hair wigs, speedy outfit changes, and medley of accents. The sheer variety throughout the show meant that any flatter interpretations were quickly forgotten about with the next energy-filled hit of a take on stereotypes that local audiences know all too well.
Part of Sammy’s magic was ignited by inviting us into his performances. Within the first few minutes, we were up on our feet doing Boomer-specific yoga stretches, such as "reaching for our fifth investment property" and "pushing Millenials out of the housing market".
Another highlight of the night was a skit of absolute delirium and hilarity with the introduction of the Leader of 'Hookturnistan', which was Sammy’s sartorial take on Dan Andrews and the Victorian government’s lockdown restrictions. A booming national anthem filled the Forum as Sammy stomped onto the stage in his best Vic-tator garb, and we were demanded to stand, sit, and stand again.
Sammy was accompanied throughout the show by his co-writer, the accomplished lawyer James Pender whose physical comedy got many of the night's biggest laughs. Transforming from a very hungry Barnaby Joyce, to a guitar-slinging and Bundy smuggling bogan into a dancing potato. James was woven in at the perfect moments to keep the audience alive as Sammy presumably changed into his next outfit.
Sammy’s songs are really where he shines brightest. In weaving the wisest of witticisms into the catchiest of carols, Sammy got the audience invested with each of his snappy, singable tunes. The song “You’ll Never Know What It’s Like” was a crowd favourite and lamented the fact that Gen Z-ers will never experience childhood highs like rewinding a cassette tape with a pencil or everyone being cool with a man dressed in a clown suit hugging a child at a McDonald's-themed birthday party.
All in all, Sammy J served us exactly what we could have expected and we lapped up outfit changes aplenty, musical numbers galore, and even a surprise guest video appearance from the Anthony Albanese. It was a rollicking show that all hookturnistans will no doubt enjoy – restriction-free.