Latest Reviews

Lickety Split, on for two nights only, is a lesbian’s delight: comedians Hannah Gadsby and Monica Dullard both use their lesbian status as part of their acts. The similarity between them, however, stops there. I doubt it would be possible to get two comedians with delivery styles more different than Tasmania’s Hannah Gadbsy and Melbourne’s Monica Dullard. Gadsby’s voice is slow and measured, her delivery droll and sarcastic. Dullard sounds like she snorted several lines of speed while simultaneously sculling red cordial and eating 27 slices of fairy bread seconds before walking onstage.  

Hannah Gadsby is exceedingly funny. It’s her delivery. It’s perfect. Not that her material isn’t; it is, but her delivery is first rate. Her awkward, deadpan demeanour is complimented by the odd wry smile and nod of the head that shows she’s having just as much fun as her audience. Gadsby’s opening routine on Arnott’s Family Assorted biscuit pack is positively hilarious.

The majority of Gadsby’s show centers around her reading of a story about a creature who lives in a toilet called Siffen Soffen, a story that Gadsby penned at the ripe old age of 7. She skilfully uses this (somewhat disturbing) tale to shed light on why she is who she is and on some of the ‘abuses’ she suffered as a child. Such as the haberdashery abuse she suffered under the hands of her mother – “My first bra was just a very high pair of pants”.

After Gadsby made her subdued and modest exit, I must confess that it took me quite some time to adjust to the mania that is Monica Dullard. I can categorically state that I have never in my life seen anything quite like her. I’ve certainly never heard anyone talk as fast as her. I’m pretty sure she was circular breathing through most of her act, just to avoid the annoying necessity of having to pause for breath in the usual way. Still, Dullard is very, very funny and the hometown audience clearly loved her. Her bit on netball and sanitary pads had me crying with laughter. Her characterisations of her father, who suffered from “shouting cancer… his whole life spent in CAPS lock”, brought the house down.

Dullard’s segues have to be seen to be believed. She jumps from one random topic to another with lightening speed, and the sheer volume of jokes and material she crams into each bit seems impossible. And it sort of is. You see, Dullard had handwritten notes on her arm and checked on them when she got lost, like a school kid in a science test. Despite the fact that she made this almost as funny as everything else in her act, I think a better narrative flow in her show would have been a good thing for those of us who were beginning to get a headache from trying to keep up with her.

Lickety Split was extremely well received from an appreciative audience. If you get the chance to see either of these two outstanding comedians I suggest you jump at it. And though I realise it’s not a contest, Gadsby won me over fair and square.


Gasworks Arts Park presents
Hannah Gadsby and Monica Dullard
Lickety Split

Venue: Gasworks Arts Park - Gasworks Theatre | 21 Graham St, Albert Park
Dates: 17 - 18 April
Times: Fri-Sat 6.30pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Prices: Full $18, Concession $15
Bookings: 9699 3253 | at the door | www.gasworks.org.au