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Image – Aaron Walker

There's no doubting Monica Dullard has a loyal following in Melbourne. The capacity audience that crammed the tiny Carpet Room at the Forum Theatre was clearly filled with friends and fans. And Dullard personally greeted them all with the gusto and enthusiasm she's famous for.

The word random gets used a lot these days, often in completely the wrong context. Dullard's show, however, embodies the true meaning of the word. It's likely you'll leave the show scratching your head and asking what exactly it was you've just witnessed. Her act is all about observing some of life's complexities, like the future of orthotics, gay marriage and grog, while being as self-deprecating and amusing as possible. What you're left with, though, is an extremely random collection of musings, many of which Dullard appears to pluck out of thin air, as if she's trying them out on an audience for the first time. There's a section in the middle where she becomes a horse that is so unexpected and so strange it's almost funny by default. Almost.

Dullard is a funny woman, no question. I've seen her perform before and loved it, but the material in this latest show, This Is Me, isn't quite working for her. It's almost as if she's telling stories about herself for her own amusement, forgetting about the audience and the punch lines. Her friends found it funny, there's no doubting that, and I'm glad. But surely not every audience will be filled with friends?

With more work on the material and more polish This Is Me will be a good show. But in it's current form, it's a bit too hit and miss.


2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
This Is Me
Monica Dullard

Venue: Forum Theatre - Carpet Room | Cnr Flinders & Russell Sts, Melbourne (Licensed venue. Under 18s must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian)
Dates: 29 Mar - 1 Apr, 17 Apr - 22 Apr, 2012
Times: Tue-Sat 8.30pm, Sun 7.30pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $22 – $18
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 | at the door