Reviews

The Art Of Schmoozing

Beat Magazine, 10 April 2002
"The Art of Schmoozing is a show supposed to teach us to walk talk and act our way into any job, date or situation we want. Apparently Anthony Menchetti and Damian Clark are experts at this! The show is a fast paced comedy with some great musical interludes. The pair are obviously enjoying passing on all their greatest social tips - like calling everyone Trent and Julie at a party so you dont have to remember everyone�s names. This is just one of the more interesting ideas Damian and Anthony want you to use to work your way to the top. A great highlight of the show is the look at the �before� Damian and Anthony from their early days in comedy. If these boys really have come that far from their own tips I may just have to start using them! The Art of Schmoozing is a well formed show. While it is not a story as such, it is non stop instructions and anecdotes that you could keep listening to all night. These two comics have great on stage presence that makes for good dynamics within the show. You will leave this performance wanting more!"

The Metro Tuesday UK, 6 August 2002
"These boys are going to be big."

The Guardian UK, 19 August 2002
"Colin Anderson (BBC TV Talent Scout UK) saw 42 hours of shows a week for 3 weeks at the Edinburgh Fringe 2002. He picked 2 acts as the next big thing. The Art of Schmoozing with Aussie newcomers Damian Clark and Anthony Menchetti was one of them."

The Scotsman UK, 2002
"Masterfully Silly... Menchetti is the hands down funny man."

The List UK, 2002
"If anyone should know how it has to be these talented Schmoozers."

Beat's Top 10
The Art of Schmoozing was listed in the top 10 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Shows by Beat Magazine

 

Murphy's Law

 

The Times UK
"TIMES CRITICS MAKE THEIR CHOICE OF THE SHOWS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE AND BEYOND: ANTHONY MENCHETTI�S MURPHY�S LAW"
Was in the Top Ten List for four consecutive weeks.

ThreeWeeks UK
"Brilliantly funny � A clever show where laughs were safely in the bag."

HAIRLINE UK
"Anthony Menchetti�s approach to comedy is a warm one, and even on the occasions when he calls on the audience to participate, very rarely is it in an attempt to use them as comic bait."
"Menchetti has them onside very early on in the act."

Chortle
"If he continues to demonstrate such invention, Menchetti could be a comedic force to be reckoned with in a few years time."

 

Awkward

Helen Razor
"The foundations of this performance are poured onto a rocky bed of nervousness. The good news is, Menchetti has built a stable house of comedy despite his professed incompetence. A slight, anti-motivational speaker, Menchetti delivers pleasantly fragile gags for the tongue-tied. Employing a droll range of low-rent props and happily shabby vignettes, he guides us through the minefield of everyday anxiety. Offering absurdist antidotes to crushing humil-iations, this performer has styled himself as the perspiring underside of US daytime TV host Doctor Phil. Menchetti's message is as clear as it is funny: don't confront your fears when you can side-step or cower in the face of them instead. This is a charming lo-fi hour that will certainly mollify your inner underachiever. The act of transposing sweaty angst into humour can't be easy. Menchetti manages this awkward feat and emerges as a soft-spoken poster boy for the badly dressed and the friendless."

 

Ants Pantz

Martin Walker
"As a child in Australia, Anthony was sent to Gay Conversion School (GCS). The idea that you can cure gay men by putting them together in an institution has an obvious flaw, and while young Anthony was disturbed by the concept of curing homosexuality, he clearly enjoyed his time there. Leaving the GCS, perhaps even more gay than before, his parents changed tack, and had him followed by a private detective whilst he went clubbing. This is a relaxed performance by this young stand up comic. His story telling is truthful and witty, depicting a life so full of twists and turns that no embellishment or exaggeration is required. If you are gay, you'll relate to this open, honest life story. If you aren't you'll understand your gay friends better having seen this show. Oh, and gay or straight, you'll laugh your head off."

Chortle UK
"This is a lovely little show from an engaging performer who can weave a spell with a story, sing a bit, play keyboard and made the hour pass in a trice."

 

Gay Conversion School Dropout

GenerationQ.net
"Gay Conversion School Drop Out was a simple, intimate comedy act nestled in the upstairs section of Bar Open on Brunswick Road in Fitzroy. Anthony Menchetti has a funny true story to tell about his own life, and he is not afraid to share it amongst complete strangers. That's what's so enjoyable about him and his show; Anthony trusted us with his somewhat embarrassing tales of coming out, his heavily religious parents and his hilarious 'exits' from numerous jobs (his story of knocking down $15,000 worth of wine from a wall whilst working was unbelievably true).

The atmosphere was warmly inviting and delightful, especially when he played the keyboard and sung little ditties about the school, which attempted to wash their students of 'the Gay'. Despite the school's best efforts, Anthony failed to graduate (not to mention the tests and exams before that, in fact his whole attendance was a shamble) by having an affair with one of the team leaders. Well, as Anthony said himself, what better way to meet and pick up guys than going to a school where gay, so-called celibate men come together.

Anthony - We look forward to the next installment that is your wacky life!"

Tim Richards, The Age Melbourne, 3 April 2008
Rating: 4 stars

Anthony Menchetti was once enrolled in a gay (de-)conversion school by his hyper-religious parents. The story of his journey through this futile institution is ripe with human interest, and Menchetti mines it effortlessly.

From the idiosyncrasies of his family, through to the individual struggles of his classmates and instructor, he brings the characters in this true story vibrantly alive and we hang on his every word. What's particularly impressive is his stagecraft: Menchetti uses a variety of media and props, including audio recordings, music, photos and a clever backdrop involving a stainedglass window and a mantelpiece.

Equally impressive is his humanity. Though this episode in his life must have been painful and traumatic, he presents it without judgement, remaining chirpy, bubbly and intensely likeable throughout. And it's extraordinarily refreshing to laugh at holier-than-thou religiosity for a change, instead of tolerating it.