Juliette Burton – Butterfly Effect

By Ron Bingham Butterfly Effect

Good luck trying to get a ticket for Juliette’s show, as it is selling out days in advance, and that is no surprise. This is a well crafted show about the crazy year that Juliette has had and how being unexpectedly kind can have far reaching positive consequences.

In previous shows, Juliette has spoken about her mental health issues and her relationships with her partner, friends and family. This show continues the theme with a little more detail about her parents and their effect on her. We have some video footage of Juliette out and about testing some theories about cat-calling and kindness. There are some lovely hand drawn illustrations and a challenge posed to the audience at the end.

The pace of the show is relentless. There is a lot of story and comedy to get through and there is hardly a moment to catch your breath from the time the show starts to when it ends (there may be presents after the show, as well).

If you love a good solid hour of honest story-telling with a lot of love and humanity, plus a bunch of very funny jokes, then I can only suggest booking tickets as fast as you can. Uplifting, entertaining and engaging.

Butterfly Effect is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 27

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/juliette-burton-butterfly-effect

Juliette Burton – Decision Time

By Ron Bingham
Decision Time

In Juliette’s previous shows (2013’s When I Grow Up and 2014’s Look At Me) we have learnt about her history of mental illness and how it impacted on her body image, confidence and eating habits. This year Juliette has to make a life-changing decision and she explores how difficult a decision it can be to someone who also suffers from anxiety, depression and OCD. No need to stress though, luckily Juliette is great at turning her complicated life into warm and captivating comedy.

The show starts with a short video of comedians and punters talking about difficult decisions and how they make choices. Juliette then explains her dilemma and the decision she needs to make by the end of the festival. We are treated to a family history (one word: farming), a few examples of the traumas she went through while growing up, a number of stories about her relationship with her partner (referred to as Handsome Bearded Man or HBM), and a comical look at the pros and cons of the choice she needs to make.

There are some very funny stories as well as a few heartbreaking ones, but, as ever, Juliette manages to keep the highs and lows of her life and relationship in perspective, and the final response from the audience was never really in doubt (rapt applause and a rousing positive cheer to how we would choose if we were in her position). This is a funny, thought provoking, insightful and searingly honest show which should be in a much larger room, as it will sell out. You will also receive a cool badge at the end of the show.

Decision Time is on at Gilded Balloon Teviot until August 28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=Juliette%20Burton%20-%20Decision%20Time

Juliette Burton; Look At Me

By Ron Bingham

This is Juliette’s second solo show at the Fringe, and follows on from last year’s excellent When I Grow Up, in which she recounted some of her life story and body image and associated mental health issues. This year, Look At Me asks what does beauty mean, and how influenced are people by what they, and the people around them, wear? Juliette dons a variety of costumes and is filmed wearing them in public spaces (Covent Garden and King’s Cross in London) to gauge people’s reactions. The first costume may have looked wildly out of place when Juliette was wearing it but, having worked nightshift, I can assure her that if she was been out in those clothes at midnight, no-one would have noticed her. Each costume (sexy, covered, old, male, alternative) has a story which relates to Juliette’s life.

The show, using the video pieces and a number of engaging on-screen interviews and pictures plus some audio, covers Juliette’s teenage years, when she went from a 4 stone anorexic to a 21 stone bulimic to being sectioned for mental health issues and, while being a harrowing journey, is made uplifting by the performers eloquent delivery and the fact that Juliette is standing there being able to talk about her life and still surviving, which is the main point of the show.

This is one of the difficult shows to review, as though it does have a lot of jokes and it does give the audience something to think about after they leave, it might not be for everyone, (like those looking for a frothy party type Festival show). It should be for everyone though and the packed crowd’s reaction suggests it is a crowd pleaser in its own way. Certainly if you’re into thought-provoking, confessional and, at times, painfully honest comedy, then you must see this show. The room is small, hot, sweaty and was sold out. Juliette may have to move to a larger room at some point to accommodate the demand, I predict.

PS Beauty is a state of mind.

Juliette Burton is performing Look At Me at The Gilded Balloon for tickets and more information check the Edinburgh Fringe website:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/juliette-burton-look-at-me

 

Juliette Burton : When I Grow Up

By Ellyse O’Halloran

I didn’t know much about UK’s Juliette Burton before seeing her ‘docu-comedy’ When I Grow Up but judging by the name and the colourful poster, I had a feeling it would be adorable. The show is about her journey into adulthood, finding the right ‘job’ and the pursuit of fulfilling her childhood ambitions. Burton accompanied her story with guest interviews, music and some props. The show is relatable and thought provoking. It wasn’t always laugh-out-loud funny but it was definitely entertaining and I left the theatre with something to think about.

It is very much an autobiographical recount of Burton’s journey to becoming the person she wants to be. A dreamer. She begins the show interacting with the audience and asking about certain people’s careers. She has a bubbly demeanor that was really joyful to watch. On the evening I went, the audience was only a handful of people but she wasn’t fazed by this at all and didn’t hesitate to approach the front of stage and even at times step into the audience and speak directly to us. I loved the way she delivered the show, her anecdotes were encapsulating and moving and I felt myself nodding along in agreeance to everything she said.

The show came to an inspirational, up-beat end. It was like a funny, motivational speech except more personal and more riveting. I actually found myself getting a little teary at one point towards the end. I would encourage young adults and families to see this show, Burton has great energy and her positive attitude towards life will rub off on you by the end of the show.

When I Grow Up is on at Trades Hall – The Meeting Room until April 20
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/shows/when-i-grow-up-juliette-burton

Shows at the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival previously reviewed by Squirrel Comedy

By Colin Flaherty

It’s not long until the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival gets into full swing. To assist you in navigating the colossal program, here are 26 shows that we have reviewed in other festivals. Keep in mind that all shows will have undergone a fair bit of spit and polish since we last saw them.

2014 – When We Were Idiots: A Comedy Walking Tour Hosted by Xavier Toby
Burke & Wills Statue, City Square
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4924 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Alexis Simmonds 0-9 Tales of a Straight, Single Cat Lady
Comedy On Collins
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3406 (MICF 2013)

Andy Matthews – String Theory
ACMI – Games Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5133 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

The Boy With Tape on His Face – More Tape
Forum Theatre – Upstairs
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5466 (Adelaide Fringe 2014)

Cam Knight – 100 Percenter
The Upstairs Lounge @ Hairy Little Sista
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5443 (Adelaide Fringe 2014)

CJ Delling – Reality Bandit
The Bull and Bear Tavern
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5448 (Adelaide Fringe 2014)

FanFiction Comedy
Melb Town Hall – Cloak Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4332 (Edinburgh Fringe 2013) & https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3380 (MICF 2013)

Impromptunes: The Completely Improvised Musical
Trades Hall – The Annexe
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5083 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

The Improv Conspiracy : A Night in Chicago
The Croft Institute
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4865 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Marek Platek : Wormhole
The Provincial Hotel
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5009 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Juliette Burton – When I Grow Up
Trades Hall – The Meeting Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4284 (Edinburgh Fringe 2013)

Late Night Letters and Numbers
Melb Town Hall – Powder Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3846 (MICF 2013)

The Little Dum Dum Club Live Podcasts!
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3469 Five Boroughs
(MICF 2013)

Marcel Lucont : Gallic Symbol
The Tuxedo Cat
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=2701 (Adelaide Fringe 2013)

Nellie White is The Shitty Carer
Imperial Hotel
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5093 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Political Asylum Late Night Riot!
Melb Town Hall – Supper Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3785 (MICF 2013)

Pop Mashup : Happy Birthday Doctor
The Butterfly Club
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5101 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Radio Variety Hour
Comedy On Collins
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5089 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Rhys Nicholson – Eurgh
Portland Hotel – Gold Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5424 (Adelaide Fringe 2014)

Sam Allen & Chris Harrigan Inside the Egg: The Life of Anne Geddes’ Prisoner Children
ACMI – Games Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4842 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Set List
Melb Town Hall – Lower Town Hall & Victoria Hotel – Vic’s Bar
ttp://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=3748 (MICF 2013)

Simon Taylor : Funny
Imperial Hotel
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5024 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Sitcom Theme Song Singalong and Trivia
The Provincial Hotel & Imperial Hotel
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4930 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Stephen Hall : Raiders of the Temple of Doom’s Last Crusade
Comedy On Collins
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=4983 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Wizard Sandwiches : The Last Lunch
Trades Hall – The Music Room
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5004 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)

Wolf Creek : The Musical
Trades Hall – Old Council Chambers
https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=5049 (Melbourne Fringe 2013)