None of us get through growing up unscathed – our parents always leave a messy little mark.
But what if one of your parents served time in prison? How would that play out? What would you learn about them, yourself, and the way that the world we live in seems to work?
Intrigued? Well, you should be, because all these deeply fascinating ideas are beautifully and hilariously explored in Alice Tovey’s 2025 Comedy Festival show 'Glass Houses'.
Alice is well-known for her sharp wit, engaging storytelling and most of all, her incredible voice, often delivering quirky comedic tunes throughout her shows. This year’s offering focuses on a story from her family – and what a story it is – but long-time fans won’t be disappointed, with two fabulous tunes featuring later in the show.
Alice owns the space, beginning the show by pacing about on stage as the crowd files in. A strong and confident force, Alice knows exactly how to win over an audience, and she knows exactly who her people are, weaving in expertly crafted jokes that make the crowd feel very seen.
The laughs are loud and frequent as the wild tales we’re there to hear unfold. The unique and personal premise of the show absolutely makes it worth the price of admission alone. Alice generously shares the kind of stories that could otherwise get her disowned by family or sued by any number of people, but she’s crossed her Ts and dotted her Is. Her mum and dad gave her permission to share and there’s other details that are made vague without distracting from the journey we’re joining her on. But it’s certainly not just the story that makes this show stand out – it’s filled with quality jokes, clever observations, and wild insights into Australia’s prison system.
This show has so much heart. It’s heaving with love and tenderness, but above all, it’s face-achingly funny.
