Type: Clowning, Aviation-Themed, Character Comedy
If You Liked: Come Fly with Me, Roxie Halley’s Good Girl, AbFab
Imagine you arrive at The Motley Wherehaus on an extremely “Melbourne” day: the rain is pouring, and the wind is whipping, yet a very enthusiastic air hostess is ready and waiting to check in your luggage at the door.
Sunny Youngsmith invites passengers to step into the deeply unhinged world of a Bijoux Airlines flight that has been unfortunately understaffed. It is currently under the sole jurisdiction of an air hostess who loves their job and wants to make sure everybody is comfortable and ready for take-off. One of the best aspects of this show was how accurately this sentiment was reflected in both the inner world-building and the external creation of the show.
Cabin Pressure handled audience participation in a refreshing manner, making the entire experience all the more rewarding. Each passenger was provided an eye mask upon entry, which could be worn to indicate their comfort level with interaction any time during the performance, displaying dedication towards a safe and consensual performer and audience relationship. Similar to the questions asked on an actual flight, passengers were asked if they were comfortable throughout and given options to participate in ways that allowed those who might be relatively new to clowning to relax and enjoy on their own terms.
Youngsmith’s diverse range of characters took up residence within all corners of the space. Whether they were a vocal mother strutting down the aisles in economy, or a tiktok influencer grappling with a ring light and a dream, this show had versatility in spades. While not all of them landed in terms of their dialogue, their dynamic physicality had me eager to keep watching and sad when our flight was coming to an end.
Whether you’re relatively new to the concepts of drag, clowning, or basic airline safety procedures, Cabin Pressure is a delightful introduction to all these things. Cultivated in both a safe and playful environment, this show is absolutely one to look out for this comedy festival season!
See our other reviews from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the link below
Tickets and Practical Info for Cabin Pressure at MICF 🎟️
The Motley Wherehaus
Season: 23rd of March-5th of April.
Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/cabin-pressure
