Review Yuk Yuk Comedy Club February 17, 2011

The Thursday night crowd at Yuk Yuk Comedy Club (Elgin location) has mixed ages. Interestingly enough, the back is filled with interactive, enthusiastic university students, while the front is filled with a few hard to read bureaucrats and a ninety nine year old who looks confused to be there. The MC for the night has his work cut out for him. As Dave Atkinson takes to the stage, he immediately warms up the front row while thoroughly entertaining the partying crowd at the back.

Atkinson has a natural ability on stage, and allows witty banter with ease. There is a birthday in the crowd, and Atkinson spends time engaging a hard working 34 year old who works for the military. Atkinson's ability to take that small bit of information into a plethora of jokes is inspiring. Atkinson is energetic and has the crowd of all ages relaxed, laughing and ready for the next act.

The next comic is John Ki, an Asian comic, (if you can't tell, he reminds you continually through his act, to great laughs.) Ki is extremely laid back in his comedy style, but keeps the energy going through the audience's laughter. He begins talking about growing up in a small town in Ontario, and the racism that exists, and receives great laughter mixed with outrage and how horrible this town sounds! Ki then moves to tried and true material of men vs. women. The audience is at first hesitant, as this type of comedy can be contrived and overused, but Ki takes it in a new and hilarious direction, appealing to both genders. He then moves on to telling the audience how hard it is to be a man (what?) but he has a few good and hilarious points, and moves on to questioning the stress levels of 12 year olds. Much of this material is new, and it plays well with this audience.

Atkinson then introduces the headliner, Ojibwa comic Don Kelly. Kelly immediately speaks of the diversity of the performers tonight (Asian, Aboriginal, and laid back potentially high white man) and questions if Yuk Yuk's is working towards a Cultural grant, and hopes they are going for new carpeting. The crowd responds very well, and all look to the floor to see the cement. The crowd then simultaneously loses energy, it is Thursday night past nine o'clock, and Kelly has to work to get their energy back up. He does this with ease, and enjoys some "banter" with the aforementioned 99 year old. Kelly ask him his name, and he yells "I used to work you know", and the confusing banter continues onward until Kelly leaves the lovely elderly gentleman to his nachos. The crowd enjoys this interplay and is fully awake and back with Kelly. Kelly belts out his marriage jokes, some native jokes, and a topical Bev Oda that comes off the top of his head! Kelly is flawless in his set, interacts with the audience and leaves them fully satisfied.

The show is well received by this audience, and the three unique voices of Atkinson, Ki, and Kelly compliment each other nicely. By far this is the easiest recommendation for "WHAT TO WATCH" and you are advised to make reservations and see this amazing show.

For reservations contact Yuk Yuk's at (613) 236-5233

JH2 (Jenn Hayward)

Blogger and JH5 owner