After experiencing a birthday where no one turned up, Jaz Mattu is on a quest to secure a packed guest list for his next anniversary.
Ill at ease and nervous, Mattu is a baffling performer, blurring the line between his character and himself. Even the low crowd turnout seems to be perfectly on-brand for Mattu’s character, as are his frequent hesitations and flatly delivered lines. Everyone is Here is a real head-scratcher with every poorly delivered joke erasing the boundaries between faux fumbling and genuine gaffe.
From the repetitive and unfunny musical numbers, to the almost instructed audience participation, awkwardness permeates the entire experience. Mattu is willing to put an incredible amount of effort into bits that just don’t work very well.
One section relies on a functional video game made by Mattu but, as the audience member struggles to navigate the screen or select options in time with Mattu’s quips, the entire joke collapses into a mildly uncomfortable exchange. Adding to the show’s surreal atmosphere is Mattu’s co-star, a talking robot head with an articulated neck, jaw and, most disconcertingly, eyes.
Everyone is Here strays into the realm of performance art rather than traditional comedy and with this perspective in mind the show is, at least, an interesting experience.
Jaz Mattu: Everyone is Here, Just the Tonic at the Caves, until 24 Aug (not 12, 18), 8pm