A few days ago one of my fellow reviewers, Daniel Sheppard, noted in a review that Kent Valentine has the kind of show that about anyone could enjoy. I think the same could be said for Hannah Gadsby (be advised, it does have some swearing).
Personally every time I see Hannah perform I have a real sense of kindred feeling towards her. We both have problem thighs, a history of severe depression, retail experience in the Supermarket industry and we share the quality of being generally irritated by the other people…you know…the ones who live in the world. Hannah posits that this trait as makes her a bad person, and I suppose that this could be considered by some as a negative trait. Personally I like to think of it as being “extra discerning”. This show covers the story of a walking trip across England, a trip that Hannah dedicates loosely to Cliff Young. If you don’t know who Cliff Young is, he’s this old dude who won the Sydney to Melbourne marathon at the age of sixty one, wearing a pair of gumboots. Indeed, Hannah has a pair of gumboots set on the stage as the solitary prop, and she comes onto stage to Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots are Made for Walking.
Hannah’s decision to walk across England, she admits, was not a particularly well thought out one, coming to her when she was drunk, at four o’clock in the afternoon. The rest of her tale documents the illogical reasoning behind the idea and the ultimate pointlessness of the whole venture. Her tale of the walk itself is littered with continued references to the debilitating effects on her body and her general distain for her fellow hikers, particularly the happy ones. It should be said that Hannah is great fun when she is scathingly angry at idiocy.
Hannah also weaves her experience of dealing with depression and of coming off her antidepressants (something I’d be terrified to do) into the story. Her material on this subject brings a beautiful depth to her tale. She takes a comical and relatable approach to the subject of suffering from depression and of the attitude one encounters from others who don’t really get it. Also, obviously, she brings a great deal of authenticity and understanding to the subject.
Hannah is a terrific story teller and her ability to throw in the sharpest of jokes is inspired. Her laconic gait belies her ability to slice through the chaff. As I said at the top of this review this show should have broad appeal. It is beautifully funny, original, personal and unique. Hannah’s rise through the comedy ranks has been a rapid one, and her inherent talent as demonstrated by this show reminds us why.
For full booking details go to the Melbourne Comedy Festival website