The great fun of a Melanie Bracewell show, is knowing that you’re always going to get at least one excellent story. . . If not maybe ten.
Melanie’s tireless teeth-cutting in the industry in recent years – including Gala spots, sold-out shows, and a regular co-hosting gig on Channel Ten – have shaped her as one of the most engaging acts in the business.
Melanie is more than capable of producing an hour which pushes boundaries: the recent show tracking her AirPods adventure is one of the most innovative and interesting stand-up gigs this reviewer has seen. . . And while ‘A Little Treat’ falls back into the more standard stand-up fare, it’s the Melanie Bracewell recipe, with callbacks aplenty and a sharp structure.
The genius of ‘A Little Treat’ is that its leading subject matter – the comedian’s recent ADHD diagnosis – is the perfect springboard for a show teeming with tangents. . . A free pass to create a chaotic hour that doesn’t NEED a clear beginning, middle and end. And while Melanie honours this idea, and ultimately does present material that feels mildly disorderly, there’s clear intention behind every left and right diversion from the main road. This makes ‘A Little Treat’ a total joy to behold: you’re a passenger on a train* speeding along unpredictable tracks. . . But there’s an unspoken safety in knowing your driver has an unparalleled sense of direction.
This is someone who has a deep respect for what she does, and a simple goal: make your audience laugh at every possible juncture. If it's light, silly fun and jokes in the vein of 'dad' that you're after – Mel will look after you.
Make no mistake: Melanie Bracewell has proven she is a comedy innovator – but what’s perhaps just as important as breaking new ground, is being intelligent enough in your craft to know how best to honour and deliver it in its original form.
★★★★★
*It wasn't until I finished writing this review that I realised a train analogy is most appropriate for this show – you'll have to catch 'A Little Treat' to find out why.
