Gregor Tarrant, the 14-year-old Wodonga Middle Years’ College student, did not, however, win the “National Class Clowns’ competition by simply being silly. His piece was highly crafted — every line and movement carefully chosen and rehearsed over many months.

In comedy, timing, inference and every little gesture is of paramount importance.

Gregor had previously experimented and developed excellent improvisation skills and acting skills, through the drama program at the Felltimber Campus and the College needs to be applauded for encouraging the arts.

Gregor won the first regional final at Wodonga’s Cube and then went on to be awarded the state final.

With each performance his confidence and performance skills developed.

He was awarded the nation’s funniest Class Clown in the Capitol Theatre, which was packed to the rafters — there were five judges and he was victorious over other state finalists, who were years older than him.

The fact the judges gave three “runner-up” awards speaks volumes — the standard of the acts was phenomenal.

Gregor’s act, which saw him start as the try-hard student and morph in to a snake charmer, emu and T Rex, brought the house down — it was a highly polished and skilled piece and should be appreciated for what it was.

There is an art to comedy.

— KIM O’SHEA,

Wodonga