Is Robby Hoffman Your Cup of Iced Tea?
Robby Hoffman. Photo Credit Rebekah Reiko.
Robby Hoffman was scheduled to warm the crowd up and keep them laughing in between sets at the POP Montreal show on September 20, 2014 at the Cabaret Playhouse. As I looked around the mostly empty space, interspersed with cool kids, I felt nervous; I hoped this gang of music lovers liked to laugh.
Robby owned the stage like a pro, seemingly without jitters or doubts. She mentioned that this was a task she was familiar with, as she used to host Faggity Ass Fridays in the same venue while she lived in Montreal. She opened with a bit of music banter and as she poked fun at the obscurity of band names these days and talked about her own shortcomings as a musician, the crowd edged forward and genuinely chuckled at her commentary.
Robby Hoffman claims to be a 95-year-old woman in a 25-year-old’s body. Well, if that’s the case, let me introduce you to the world’s coolest Gramma. Her material was varied and ranged from a bit about Nestea Iced Tea all the way to sex-play with stretched ear lobes.
I never had the sense that she was saying things simply for shock value (re: her pee wiping technique or her affinity for fisting) but rather that she was speaking to the crowd in that open and raunchy way that you would speak to your closest friends.
As the night progressed, the crowd remained onboard and seemed to enjoy the act. Hoffman touched on the challenges of doing a comedy set during a music show, of performing for a crowd that in all likelihood isn’t there to see you. But you couldn’t argue with Hoffman’s funny; it was observant, quirky and well executed.
She gave props to the crowd, calling us “the cream of the crop” and it’s true, it was a good-natured and receptive group, I just wish the musicians displayed the same respectful demeanor (ahem, Syngja).
If this sounds like your cup of Iced Tea, the good news is Robby Hoffman has a hilarious presence on YouTube, including a mini-series called Comedy in Biblical Proportions where she interprets bible passages and can be followed on Twitter @iAmRobbyHoffman.
Her website claims that she often makes the trip from Toronto to Montreal, and I really hope that that’s the case. Kudos Robby Hoffman, you are one funny Nan.
Robby Hoffman Comedy at POP Montreal took place at Cabaret Playhouse (5656 Avenue du Parc), on September 20, 2014. For more POP Montreal events click HERE; For more info about Robby Hoffman click HERE
