Craig Robinson @ Metro Theatre

Craig Robinson and the Nasty Delicious
Metro Theatre
Sydney, AUS
December 14, 2016

Best known for his role as Darryl Philbin in the Emmy Award winning USA version of The Office, Craig Robinson has also appeared in films such as the Hot Tub Time Machine franchise, Pineapple Express and as himself in This is the End alongside the tried duo Seth Rogen and James Franco and Zack and Miri Make a Porno with Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.

As a stand up comedian, Chicago born Craig first made his mark in the comedy circuit at the 1998 Montreal Just For Laughs festival.
Now headlining venues and festivals across the US, he does both solo acts as well as his funky seven-headed band sets tying together his lyrical comedy with his accomplished skills at the keyboard.

His incarnation in Sydney during his first Australian tour showcased Craig Robinson’s unique comedy and musical talents with his band The Nasty Delicious. It was a laid back affair comprised of a combination of musical comedy and stand-up components – or as he eloquently puts it: “An evening of jokes and dancing transporting you back to the kindergarten days where you were to have fun and laugh and sing and play!”

Backed by The Nasty Delicious, a seven-piece funk band featuring Robinson’s younger brother, Chris Rob, Wynston Byrd, Asa Watkins, David Sampson, Brian Cockerham, Lakecia Benjamin and Reggie Hines, the funnyman performed an engaging set comprised of his own repertoire, cover songs and both accompanying and interrupting his songs with stories and anecdotes, as well as crowd interaction.

Despite most people having probably made an appearance because of Craig’s TV presence, The Nasty Delicious was the solid foundation and so much more than a mere backing band of the evening: Seasoned professionals that mean business, enjoy their craft and could have easily carried the evening without further comedic ado with their powerful fusion of Latin jazz, electric funk and lotsa soul.

What seemed to be a lack of a stringent set list, left a lot of room for improvisation, which is where Craig Robinson feels right at home, truly shines and where the funnier bits of the evening originated from.

A naturally funny, funky comedic jam session.

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Photo by T