The Sidesplitter Comedy Festival is in full swing, and I caught John Safran’s Squatting at Kanye’s and Other Adventures, based on his latest book Squat – A Week Squatting at Kanye’s Mansion.
The stage was set like something from his early naughts TV series Safran vs God, with a reading chair, side table and dimly lit room. A large screen off to the side would show clips from his past documentaries and TV series throughout the evening.
Dressed in a white hat and suit, Safran looked perfectly at home, ready for an evening of storytelling, satire and sly social commentary.
A documentary filmmaker and writer, Safran was a defining voice of Australian pop culture in the early 2000s. I used to love his irreverent documentaries and his banter with Father Bob on their Triple J radio show, so it was great to see him again.
The show was an engaging blend of readings, reflections and video snippets, reliving moments throughout his career with plenty of laughs and the occasional gasp. True to form, Safran balanced mischief and meaning, from squatting at Kanye’s mansion to confronting the father of Kanye West’s Melbourne-born wife, Bianca Censori and he did not leave out his hilarious encounter with the Scientologists.
What stands out most is his storytelling. Safran’s wit is dry and his timing perfect, giving him the ability to turn awkward encounters into comedy gold.