Comedy review: Hannah Gadsby

Published on Wednesday 19 August 2009 18:52

HANNAH GADSBY KISS ME QUICK I'M FULL OF JUBES

ASSEMBLY @ GEORGE STREET (VENUE 3)

HANNAH Gadsby's show is essentially the story of a young woman coming out to her mother as a lesbian, but it's the richness of the autobiographical detail and her ability to present it so vividly that make this such a rewarding hour. Growing up in backwards Tasmania, she likens being raised by her mum to watching a David Lynch film, conjuring a frightening but believable matriarchal character who is unbendingly strict, world-weary, forever sending out mixed messages about tolerance, and deeply and inexplicably distrustful of doctors – an almost lethal combination for her accident-prone daughter.

That Gadsby retains any self-esteem at all is remarkable given this challenging upbringing, and the fact that homosexuality was still illegal in Tasmania when she realised she was gay. Still, if she's consequently internalised an acute gift for self-criticism, it does make for some entertaining stand-up, as she relates her body issues through memorably amusing imagery and then debunks a few lesbian myths.

Although her voice carries a note of wry resignation, she's no longer the victim of fashion crime and humiliation she once was and invariably has the last laugh with an almost deadpan, cutting wit that employs cruelty and crudity when required. Her mother is never fully forgiven and she has occasional recourse to a very funny, paraphrasing refrain throughout the show, reading between the lines of Mrs Gadsby's melodramatic outbursts to discern the love hidden within. Even so, you genuinely believe that the writing of this show brought them closer together, at least in the comedian's mind.

Although still establishing herself, Gadsby looks totally at home on a stage, an assured performer from whom I suspect we can expect a run of fine Fringe shows in the next few years.

JAY RICHARDSON

Until 30 August. Today 7:20pm.