By Bella Jones
Melanie Bracewell is far from the first comedian to be diagnosed with ADHD and write a comedy show about it – a fact that she is aware of. But one of her biggest skills lies in turning ordinary stories into hilarious anecdotes, finding the funny in common experiences.
Her latest show may be titled ‘A Little Treat’, but for the audience it’s more like a smorgasbord of humour and entertainment. The crowd can immediately tell that they’re in the safe hands of Bracewell’s well-proven comedy skills. From her previous stand up shows to writing and co-hosting The Cheap Seats it seems that Bracewell is exactly where she’s meant to be. Every line is written with the intention of getting the most laughs, with quick quips and delightfully satisfying call-backs it’s clear Bracewell is dedicated to creating the best show possible.
Throughout the hour we follow Bracewell’s retelling of the events that lead to her getting an ADHD diagnosis. From air dry clay, dining in the dark, to car manuals, the show is full of just about everything. Not only is it all treated to Bracewell’s sharp wit, but there’s also some touching moments relating to her and her partner Shaun. She excels at drawing the audience into the scenes she’s describing. Her clever use of repeating lines gathers more and more laughter as well as serving as a great connection back to her ADHD. She always seems completely in control, leaving the audience perfectly positioned to enjoy a fantastic hour of laughs.
Bracewell’s shows are worth recommending to just about anyone, A Little Treat is no exception and might just be her strongest work yet.
Melanie Bracewell performs A Little Treat at Max Watts Until April .20
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/melanie-bracewell-a-little-treat/