Type: Stand up, Beat poetry, Storytelling
If You Liked: Reading your primary school diary. Watching Australian comedians read their primary school diary
Not as Good as I Remember marks Mish Wittrup’s fifth stand-up show, but she would rather that audiences forget the others and remember this as her best. Given the string of events that have occurred since her last comedy festival, you would be forgiven for expecting a show about those exact things and processing grief. Instead, Wittrup has chosen to refocus on her pre-teen years, an unexpected pivot sparked by an equally unplanned discovery of a diary she started when she was 11. This sets her apart from the standard “recent life happenings” structure, instead offering a reflective time capsule which proves to be well worth watching.
Reliving your unfiltered childhood persona is an experience that many can relate to, especially when asking, “What on earth was I thinking?” Wittrup mastered these reactions throughout the show with humorous critique but ultimately an underlying kindness towards her younger self and her dreams.
A PowerPoint was used to accompany several diary entries and support punchlines, but did not detract from Wittrup’s main performance. It should be made clear that her bubbly stage presence and highly engaging storytelling are enough to entertain anyone for an hour, but moments of dramatic lighting and visual gags were a brilliant addition to an already captivating piece.
The introspective nature of this show, a 36-year-old woman looking for solace in her 11-year-old self, is a touching sentiment that holds a mirror up to many of us wishing we could go back to when primary school felt like everything. Wittrup brings us along on her own discovery of goals and aspirations she held dear at the time, and how she has grown and adapted.
She doesn’t have the answers to all the big questions (because none of us really do), but Not as Good as I Remember still delivers inspiration as Wittrup reads between the lines. A thoroughly enjoyable night that occasionally pulls on the heart strings, I highly recommend you add this show to your must-see list for MICF 2026!
See our other reviews from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in the link below
Tickets and Practical Info for Not As Good As I Remember at MICF 🎟️
The Greek-Apollo
Season: 26th of March-19th of April.
Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/mish-wittrup/
