Patrick Rolink - An Hour Of Stand Up

A short man with a big belly and a barrel chest, as Patrick Rolink walks to the front of the room he cuts a unique figure.  Rolink has been gigging since 2002, and his experience shows. Like his physical frame, there's a solidity to his presence that is reassuring, avuncular, and strangely hypnotic.

He's a clever man, and his earthy humour contains a subtle edge of social commentary and intelligence. Sadly, his set just isn't funny enough. Moments of real genius are here, but Rolink's opinions often crowd out the laughter. Intelligent comedy is a difficult gig, and Rolink doesn’t quite succeed.

Like a boxer whose flurries and jabs never really land a hit, at the end of the night you find he's ahead on points, but he hasn't knocked your socks off. Here’s hoping the 2003 So You Think You’re Funny finalist sharpens things up for the festival proper.