Type: Storytelling, Musical Comedy, Introspective
If You Liked: Actually, Good
Decisions, we make them every day. They can change the course of our lives and the history of the world. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the Melbourne Arts precinct just disappeared? If the cuts in arts funding trends continue? This may become our reality, so its important to speculate.
If our timelines were just a little bit different, then perhaps a perfectly placed wine glass can hurry up the process a bit and the course of history could be changed. It’s frightening how much power we have as individuals. My decision to attend Gillian Crosgriff, Life Oh Life probably has had some sort of cataclysmic run that my 10th time great grandchildren will read about.
Audience members were given a small brown envelope, each envelope containing…well, that’s spoiling part of the show’s surprise. Cosgriff begins by getting the audience to talk, seeking the youngest and oldest members of the audience and making them part of the show. If you are very young or very old and hate the ides of being part of a show, you might want to keep tight. The eldest and youngest audience members played a large part in the overall atmosphere of the show, and were regularly asked questions by Cosgriff.
Cosgriff injects multiple embarrassing life anecdotes and, in full vulnerability, the audience is forgiving. I was an inquisitive child and never took anything at the face value it was presented to me as. Cosgriff tears into her childhood misadventures, that seem too complex for a child’s mind but with ignorant innocence. She wants to be the best at confession by lying that she committed a sin. Also, what party pooper puts ‘no presents’ on their child’s birthday invitation?
Cosgriff comes from a musical theatre background, and it is evident in her standup. Between the stories, we have musical numbers set to a piano. All are originals, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Cosgriff is a very talented vocalist, and her compositions are engaging for audience members. Music is how Cosgriff shares life advice to her audience, with lyrics.
Cosgriff’s comedy is self-deprecating at times, but is never deprecating of others. What Cosgriff wanted of us, and what I want people to do, is to think about their own existence, and ponder on the moment and not their own mortality. Because, in thinking about the future and the past, we ignore the now.Ticket Prices
$30 – $39 Laugh Pack
See our other reviews from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the link below
Tickets and Practical Info for Life, Oh Life at MICF 🎟️
Time: 7.40pm| 6.40pm
Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne – The Show Room
Duration: 60 minutes
Suitable for audiences 15+: Language – occasional coarse language
