Review: Claudia Rae & Floyd Alexander-Hunt's "Split Bill"

By Haydn Hickson

Claudia Rae and Floyd Alexander-Hunt’s split bill show was a promising glimpse into the future of Sydney’s comedy scene.

As the crowd waded in to ‘the Floor’ at the Factory Theatre — there was definitely a sense of excitement in everyone’s expectations. Both Claudia and Floyd had made it to the Raw Comedy State finals, Australia’s most prestigious amateur comedy competition, which boasts winners like Hannah Gadsby. Similar to Gadbsy, both comedians had a certain awkward charm about them, though, like any good comic, both drew on their niche personal experiences to fill their 25 minute sets. 

Claudia, who opened the show, captured the audience immediately with her innocent tone and her well-timed pauses. The audience cackled at her rags-to-riches story (from Newcastle, to Hornsby); her clever and well-thought-out punches and brilliant timing. Even in her more critical content of Adelaide, Claudia maintained the most sincere of smiles, sewing together her dumbfounded persona with the sickest, brutal burns — sending the audience into a solid rofl. Her use of props, pauses and audience interaction showed that a serious amount of thought and skill had gone into crafting her set – and the audience loved it. Few other comedians can pull of her endearing, yet sarcastic style, and the audience was definitely impressed at her execution.  

When it came time to the second act, the audience was well and truly ready for another set of laughs. USYD Student, Floyd Alexander-Hunt, who this year directed the Sydney Law Revue, dazzled the stage with the finesse and swagger of someone who really should not be wasting her talent on a law degree! Though considered a fresh face on the Sydney comedy scene, Floyd gave a performance of a seasoned comic, with the audience literally erupting with laughter at every word, facial gesture and musical note she gave us. Never have I seen the skills of Suzuki violin employed on a stand up stage, and boy was I ready — I could literally hear my Asian mother yelling at me for never learning an instrument. From her anxious demeanour, her comic-take on family drama, and hilarious fixation on her exes, Floyd is definitely a face to watch out for in the Sydney comedy scene.

Would highly recommend seeing both of these talented artists at Sydney’s various venues — The Comedy Store, Comedy Lounge and hopefully at Sydney Comedy Festival next year.