At last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, a baby-faced performer pushed a flyer for his show into my hand outside the Town Hall, but felt compelled to warn me that it was musical comedy and, as such, wouldn’t be for everyone. Trying to be encouraging, I told him I was quite into musical comedy – you know, people like Gillian Cosgriff and Michelle Brasier.
Perhaps the young man should have been more confident; these days there is a strong audience for musical comedy and, when done well, there are few things more entertaining or satisfying. Making a show combining these elements is – almost by definition – more work, but it can up open new storytelling possibilities, add emotional heft and leave audiences humming the punchlines long after the curtain falls.
