After debuting to a sell-out season at Melbourne Fringe 2014, Isabella Valette is back with 'Media Release' – fresh from seasons at The Butterfly Club and Adelaide Fringe, and ready to take on the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!
Featuring over-sexualised pop stars, super cut-throat agents, mechaphile baristas, media mogul producers, and a range of well-paced and cleverly re-written musical numbers, 'Media Release' probes the relentless rise of instant celebrity culture, its stars, the entertainment industry, social media and the effect that all this has on our psyches.
The one-woman show featuring Isabella Valette follows the story of April Fools who is determined to be a star, whatever it takes. When she finds herself at an audition, she is asked to deliver her lines like specific Hollywood celebrities, such as Britney Spears, Emma Watson, and Mischa Barton – and to be sexier. From there, we witness her demise – in a lighthearted way – as she betrays family members, friends and herself in succumbing to the lure of being a reality star.
When April realises that all her dreams could be fulfilled via the launchpad of reality TV, she is forced to delve deeper into what an audience really wants to see. Isabella brings April’s innocence and naivety to the surface with conviction and believability, as well as exploring her desire to achieve her dreams. “I wanted April's journey to raise questions about the portrayal of women in the media, and how their worst qualities are exploited in the name of entertainment.” Valette says. “We also touch on morality, ambition, narcissism, and a dash of Melbourne café culture.”
After completing her musical theatre degree at the prestigious Arts Educational Schools London, Isabella was cast in a show which toured around Camden Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe, where she caught the Fringe bug. Since then, she has toured with Adelaide and Melbourne Fringe, and looks forward to introducing her show to a much wider audience in 2015.
With a gripping storyline, concise comic timing and cleverly reworked pop songs, 'Media Release' is both humorous, thought-provoking and an entertaining hour of song and laughs for audiences that have been surrounded by and obsessed with reality TV 'stars' for almost two decades.
