REVIEW: Shit-Wrecked! (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
Mel & Sam are Shit-Wrecked! in this MICF addition that brought down the house at The Toff in Town this season.
Gaslighting girl bosses are invited to board the Spirit of Tasmania, where captains Samantha Andrew and Mel O’Brien bring comedy cabaret to the high seas (well.. Bass Strait cruise route anyway). The show is charmingly unhinged, and a tonic to watch.
Ships are hot, gays are hotter, NFTs are… yeah I dunno either. Expect these conclusions and more in Shit-Wrecked! With striking wit and musical aplomb, Andrew and O’Brien prove entertainment value regardless of whether the premise is schoolyard shenanigans (No Hat, No Play! The Cabaret!) or cruise-themed comedy. Whilst loosely planted on the Spirit at best, the duo exude chaos so comfortably you’re probably laughing too hard to notice. The inevitable tightening that is born from touring a show promises Shit-Wrecked! potential to rock crowds who are even unfamiliar with the localised premise.
This electric cabaret lives and breathes the versatility, irreverence, and unbridled energy that audiences are begging for after the live performance hiatus of the past few years. O’Brien has a killer voice that seems effortless in its musical aerobics, even amongst the literal aerobic choreography. Andrew feels at home in the comedy nuance that always feels embodied in delivery. The two combined prove a working chemistry in ship shape.
The audience giggled, gasped, and guffawed - this backing track proof of the winning recipe this comedy pairing have created. Shit-Wrecked! is showing at The Toff in Town at Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 10. Tickets available here.
DISCLAIMER: Whilst I endeavour to be encouraging of theatre’s survival in tandem with honest feedback, all of my reviews (like all other reviews) cannot escape my own personal opinion. Art is not something that can be objectively evaluated and we all have different tastes - creating a show in Australia is an uphill battle and an ecosystem that relies on audience attendance. So no matter what I write, I always recommend buying a ticket watching for yourself!