Jimmy McGhie has become a bit of a Festival regular having amassed a considerable Kiwi following since his debut two years ago. Tribal Gathering brings us more of McGhie’s trademark eloquent, charismatic discourse about life’s many intricacies.
As always, McGhie openly owns his posh English charm using it to win over the crowd. He has learned from previous visits that Kiwi audiences are a more tight-lipped bunch but that doesn’t deter him; if anything he is even more determined to engage in conversation with us and incite a response.
Over the course of the hour, McGhie tackles the joys of aging and the generation gap while coming to the acceptance that it’s the end of his youth as he knows it. His lament on suffering from three-day hangovers, millennials’ awful taste in music and somehow developing an inner dad voice overnight are highly amusing and hit home with many in the crowd.
A highlight of the evening was an elaborate, drawn-out anecdote in which McGhie reenacts a customer service meltdown that eventuated over a falsely advertised club sandwich. We get to see him exercise his acting skills – something we have not had the pleasure of seeing – by playing all parties involved to great comedic effect.
Whether you’re a millenial, baby boomer or Gen Y, Tribal Gathering will have something for everybody. Jimmy McGhie’s sharp observations make for a delightfully clever and compelling hour with not a dull moment to be had.
Jimmy McGhie is performing at The Classic from 8 – 12 May. For more details and to book tickets, click here.
comedy | theatre | live entertainment | performing arts 