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When three latecomers double the size of your audience, it’s a pretty slow night at Trades Hall. Such was the case on the quiet evening that I caught Dumb Things, Geraldine Quinn’s new cabaret/comedy show. With such a small audience, Quinn got to know everyone’s name…and even remembered them throughout her hour long set. It’s a shame there weren’t more people in the theatre, because Dumb Things has got quite a lot of good material, mainly in terms of its musical components.

Having just done the rounds at the Midsumma Festival and the Adelaide Fringe, Dumb Things gets a bit more mileage here in Melbourne for a full run in the comedy festival. And so it should. It’s a show about some of the crazy and embarrassing things that Quinn has done over the years, with ironic songs to accompany the tales. While the anecdotes in themselves are not all that outrageous, and some of the topics feel overextended, her ballads are subversive and always a treat.

Quinn’s vocal range is amazing, shifting focus for each satirical ode and bringing much character work into the music. From describing the illiterate bogan (whom she grew up amongst as a teenager in Dandenong) to admitting her lust for cricketer Adam Gilchrist or explaining the dangers or wearing latex/PVC garments in 40 degree weather, she’s an engrossing and gutsy performer. That’s especially hard to be when trying to entertain a near empty house, although it did bring a certain intensity and rapture to the proceedings. And Quinn certainly got in there, not holding back as she won us over with her versatile voice.

Quinn is that dark breed of artist who will never be mainstream but will always have an appreciative following. She’s not slick and is actually quite nasty and a bit haphazard. With her torn jeans, unruly hair and dirty mouth, she admits her foibles, her stumbles and her missteps. Not afraid to profess her hatred of old people, annoying teenage girls and beggars who like to be choosers, she’s a misanthropist with a twisted sense of humour and vocal chords that pierce.

Not wanting to be forgotten once the show is over, Quinn gave out homemade badges that read “I am a mess.” As a festival offering, Dumb Things is certainly not a mess, but it is scruffy and raw and will appeal to people who like the darker side of cabaret. If Rhonda Burchmore is your cup of cabaret tea, stay away from this show, but if Eddie Perfect or Tim Minchin is more your speed, it would be worth checking out Geraldine Quinn.


Dumb Things
Geraldine Quinn

Venue: Trades Hall | 2 Lygon Street, Carlton Sth
Dates: 19th Mar - 12th Apr
Times: Tue-Sat 9.45pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: Full $19, Conc $16
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 | 9659 3569