We invited some of Australia’s best Comedians on board the Jewel for a 3 night comedy extravaganza from the 15th – 18th July. I was a little busy with the Pacific Dailies that cruise so we asked Pip Coleman, Entertainment Coordinator for P&O Australia, (who was lucky enough to be onboard!) to write a piece on the cruise to keep you in on the action.
‘I have always thought that laughter brings people together and the Comedy Cruise on the Pacific Jewel was a wonderful example of this belief.
The feeling of community that evolved over the 3 night cruise was great with each comedian adding their own element to the energy:
Mick Meredith – the working class man with a gritty, down-to-earth manner
Fiona McGary – the girl-next-door that everyone can relate to
Dave Williams – the full of life big kid
Mr Fish – the hyperactive and quirky guy
Bogan Bingo – these guys are insanely funny and very un-politically correct
and of course the delightful…..
Tom Gleeson – the genuine and brutally honest but laid back guy
Comedian Tom Gleeson on stage onboard The Pacific Jewel
Put together it was a fantastic three day experience.
My favourite bits from the Comedy Cruise:
- Fiona’s Comedy Workshop – where she made one woman so nervous about just holding the microphone, that the woman started needed a drink to continue the class!
- Mr Fish’s live show – where he rode a uni-cycle with one foot and kicked a plastic fish into a bowl on a rocking ship!!
- Up Close and Funny – where the panel of comedians were thrown a curve-ball by a lady in the audience who asked, ‘Are comedians more likely to be depressed personalities?’ and, ‘Are comedians more intelligent than most?’ … to which Tom Gleeson got up and dropped his microphone saying ‘I cannot go on’ …
- The Comedy Gong Show – where the passengers attempted to be funny but generally did not succeed and got unceremoniously gonged by the Bogan Bingo guys. The average age of the contestants was around 50 yrs except for a young guy called Jordan who jumped on stage at the last minute to have a go. But unfortunately the funniest thing about him was his Justin Beber haircut. And in the end the winner was a sweet old man named Bernie who told an old family joke that had the crowd in tears.
By the end of the 3 night cruise people were coming up to the comedians as if they had known them for years.
I loved the way that the Aussie passengers embraced the funny, clever, quirky people that are our best comedians, because they represent us all.’
Thanks Pip, it was an awesome cruise…..
Sarah
