Well, it’s that time of year again when Jome puts on a run of shows. Kicking things off last night was Check Please, a comedy about the pitfalls of blind dating and some of the crazy characters who might be sitting at the opposite side of your table.

The set looked amazing and I’d like to thank everyone for helping us get sorted, special thanks to Chris and Deanna for their hard work.  After voice warm-ups and a couple of improv games to get us going we were ready to rock and roll!

I set the scene by stumbling out onto the stage as a progressively drunk waitress and brought out Jess and Aaron – our two desperate and dateless candidates for some of the WORST dates in history!

First up we had Tash as Louis – the egotistical loser who was so wrapped up in himself, he didn’t even listen to Jess. Tash was hilarious and delivered each line perfectly, and we all sympathised with Jess when she called him the biggest tool she’d ever met.

Then came the lovely Mary. Siobhan’s character looked nice and normal, until she started planning out her and Aaron’s whole lives! Siobhan’s comic timing is what really made this scene, coupled with Aaron’s confused manner, it was hilarious!

Up next was the Latin lover from Colombia (and Cottosloe.) Carlos didn’t really have to act very much as he portrayed  the sensual and provocative Ken. Jess did an amazing job keeping a straight face as Carlos put the moves on her.

Elisa then tried her luck with Aaron as the kleptomaniac, Pearl. Brazenly stealing crockery and cutlery her deadpan delivery was just brilliant. Aaron did a great job keeping his cool especially at the end of the scene, when Pearl stole the tablecloth right off the table!

Speaking of strange, next it was Francis – dressed in a sack. He hammed it up really well and had the audience in stitches.

Tash made her second appearance for the evening as Melanie, the footy fan obsessed with the Dockers. Ironically the Dockers were playing last night but thankfully they didn’t do as badly as in our play! Tash shouted and screamed in the voice of a truly frustrated fan and was totally cool under pressure.

I had a pretty quick costume change while all this was happening as I transformed into Tod, the young boy out to impress Jess. I did a pretty impressive elephant impression and at one point almost exposed myself to Jess in order to show her an imaginary scar.

After that was Gabby, our prison escapee. She bounded onto the stage stealing a bread-roll and nonchalantly sat in with Aaron. One only wonders how the date would have progressed if the police hadn’t shown up!

Chris then hit it off with Jess as the charismatic and charming Brandon. The date seemed pretty successful, until he revealed himself to be gay! Chris’ reaction to having water  thrown in his face was priceless and his delivery of the line “nobody puts baby in the corner” absolutely classic!

Gabby burst back onto the stage as the laughing Julia, and Aaron  to deliver one of the best lines of the night.

Then it was time for the fussy Manny. Mike played the man with all the phobias and had to pronounce some of the hardest words of the night. His delivery was impeccable and Jess’s reaction was priceless.

Last  for the first half was Ella as the mime, Mimi. Obviously she didn’t have any lines to remember but her amazing acting showed us all what a brilliant physical comedian she truly is.

After the intermission we were all heartbroken to find out that the happy couple was no more. On the advice of their not-so-supportive best friends, they decided to get back in the game.

Elisa hit the stage with her second character of the night, Donna. Every time her phone rang, she answered with hilarious results. Her delivery of the  greeting “Gina bina fo fina” and “Stacyyyyy” will definitely become catch phrases around Jome!

Next up was the multilingual Lyle. Francis was hilarious as the foreign language ‘expert’ who was way out of his depth! He really ramped it up with his song French terms and was so funny when he clumsily attempted Spanish with the answer Taco.

Ella returned to the stage as Linda, a girl with multiple personalities. As a role that could have been more serious, she delivered all of her lines in a perfect comic style and ad everybody laughing especially when she became the monkey!

After the strangeness of Ella’s scene it was Siobhan’s second character, Dewey. Sporting a great mullet wig and thick eyebrows, Siobhan was so funny as the ‘extreme’ accountant. Her flossing skills were off  hizook!

Next, a desperate Jess and Aaron called their friends for support, only to find that they have found love with each other! Francis and Sally shared Jome’s first proper on stage kiss and it even got a few woohoos from the audience.

Chris graced the boards again in his most transformative role – Cleo the psychic. He strutted his stuff in a dress, heels and a purple wig. What really cracked people up, though, was the moment he began to read Aaron’s foot. Chris was hilarious and just a little bit gross!

If you thought a guy wearing a sack was bad, try a pirate! Mike really looked the part as the hilarious Alex, a pirate who shops at Jeans West.

Sally stepped up next as the tech-obsessed Jackie. We lost it as she spoke in internet speak  to a bewildered Aaron. I must admit, she lost me a few times. It was Sally’s extra bits that really made this work, from throwing in a few selfies to using her phone for hashtags and lols!

The final guy for Jess was Paul, a man with multiple wives looking  for a third! Carlos looked amazing with thick heavy eyebrows and beard. He was so funny in his delivery and cracked everyone up with his impression of his work mates. (Two wife Tony!)

Alex the pirate made a comeback in a hilarious mix up and Mike was brilliant when asking Aaron and then Carlos to join his crew.

All’s well that ends well as Aaron and Jess decide to give it one more shot!

The show was brilliantly done. Everyone was hilarious, the acting  brilliant and no-one missed a beat. I would like to thank everyone who was involved especially the other Jomers for helping on t bar, the improv group for watching us perform and Kieran for nailing the sound  lighting.

Next up, Improv comedy at the State Library Theatre 6th June – be there or be square!