The callback queen cometh.
‘Attack Of The Melanie Bracewell’ sees the NZ stand-up regaling audiences with a tale of two (missing) AirPods. It’s part comedy, part investigation – with a slideshow (and some IMPRESSIVE transitions!) filled with evidence and materials which heighten the work and make it a fun, engaging hour of side-splitting laughs.
Melanie is, by this point in her career, a total master in her craft. Not only is her stage presence electrifying, but her comedy and writing is intelligent and well thought-out – it’s goofy and sometimes the best kind of cringe (she loves a ‘dad’ joke and a good pun), but there’s a reason for every quip or reference, which gives the material extra depth. Her audience interaction slides satisfyingly into the show’s existing content like the last piece of a puzzle, and she approaches the crowd in a way that doesn’t feel confronting or as though you’re being put on the spot.
This hour is a slight departure from Melanie’s recent previous work in style and approach, but what is presented is fresh and dynamic, still showing off one of Melanie's greatest attributes as a comedian: the art of the callback.
'Attack' is a stellar example of taking the colours of real-life stories and using the comedy paintbrush to craft a slick final product, worthy of displaying to the masses. Melanie has proven to audiences that she’s a punchline expert, but with ‘Attack Of The Melanie Bracewell’, she hones in on not only her storytelling abilities, but also her talent for keeping an audience on its toes.
Melanie’s at the top of her game, using an almost unbelievable experience as the foundation for a fantastic hour of comedy. So many twists and turns that you’ll need a holiday in New Plymouth to process what you’ve just watched.
★★★★★
