Review: Fun Sad Aunties at Storyville

Review by Greg Gorton

Comedy, at its fundamental core, is about subversion. So if you want to see the best standup at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, you need to look for something subversive. That doesn’t mean something that screams “I’m out there and weird”, of course. Because then whatever happens is likely expected, and not a subversion. No, you need to find a lineup of independent comics who just stand at a mic and talk about things. You need a group of childless aunties (and one childless gruncle) talking about cats, online dating, looking great, and visits to the doctors. You need to walk into the most cliched idea of a comedy show you can think of, and then have your mind blown.

You need the Fun Sad Aunties.

The show is hosted and curated by Lauren Edwards and Sarah Bartolo, two well established artists who I think are flying too far under the radar. In fact, I walked into this show with high hopes after having the delight of catching Edwards’ solo show last year. The two comics bounced off each other well in their introduction to the afternoon, but excelled most commanding their stage solo. The curatorial abilities of these women should also be greatly praised - this is a thematic show, and every comic gave performances that you could say fit into a wider conversation about patriarchal views of women, the undeniable social and physical impact of ageing, and how to find a place in society for someone slightly outside “the norm”.

Over half a dozen comics over one hour means a fast-paced show filled with different takes on the classic standup, and there isn’t a failed set among them. I was excited to find festival favourite Janty Blair in the line-up, with her hilarious takes on dating as a midwife and a mother, and just as excited to be introduced to comics I somehow was yet to be aware of. Despite winning the Comedy New Work Award at Melbourne Fringe two years ago, I had somehow only now been given the chance to experience Robyn Reynolds, Kiran Deol was on stage a good five minutes without once mentioning that they were nominated for an Emmy. I think this is one of the awesome aspects of shows like this - basically filling out my schedule for the rest of the festival in a single viewing.

It’s worth noting that, unlike a lot of shows that somewhat relate to childlessness, this isn’t a show that contains animosity towards parents or children, and this is frankly a real breath of fresh air in a cynical entertainment environment. In fact, overall, while comic “complaints” are made, this is a show that veers away from the “sad” and into the “fun” side of the title.

It’s perfectly timed as a weekend afternoon show that can be followed up with those famous Storyville cocktails and then dinner before your next MICF event. Fun Sad Aunties really is the perfect encapsulation about all that is great about the festival. If you can still get your hands on a ticket, do so.

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