Apr 18, 20232 min read

Gabbi Bolt: Odd Socks - MICF 2023 (VIC)

Presented by The Butterfly Club and MILKE. Written and performed by Gabbi Bolt

Reviewed by Justin Clarke

The Butterfly Club, Melbourne

Until 23rd April, 2023

Tickets: https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2023/shows/gabbi-bolt-odd-sock

- Move over Tim Minchin, because Gabbi Bolt is slicing out her own piece of the musical comedy scene -

Each comedy season, established performers re-enter the comedy scene, young performers debut their first comedy shows and standups get an opportunity to practise their new routines. Each year however, there is always a whisper, a name that’s passed around amongst the “oohs” and “aahs” of the artists and theatre going audience. From personal experience, it seemed this year the whispered name on everyone’s lips was Gabbi Bolt.

Having established herself as a talent at last year's comedy festival with her debut show I Hope My Keyboard Doesn’t Break, Bolt won Best Newcomer at the 2022 Sydney Comedy Festival and was a 2022 Moosehead Award recipient. This year, she returns with new songs, new laughs and new goofiness with Odd Socks. And my god is it a triumph.

Sporting a gorgeous pair of odd socks, it became apparent that the show’s title is reflective of Bolt’s own experiences in the world in which she feels adjacent to at times, but also how she refuses to fit into a box. Instead she chooses to paint said box, adorn it in fashionable earrings and then write a viral song about it.

A recurring staple for most musical comedy shows this year is the good ol’ Powerpoint presentation. Some acts rely on it too heavily, others are only able to use the odd meme or two to land a punchline, Bolt however, makes it a second performer for her production. Recurring video reminders for her to drink water appear at random, the audience are encouraged to take photos and record (and tag of course) and images of a certain celebrity (whose name is reminiscent of a lasagna loving cat) appear for a standout song.

Not only does Bolt manage to explore the most taboo of topics in an ingenious manner, her piano and lyrical skills reminded me of a young Tim Minchin. Her dexterity, versatility and ferocity with which she plays and sings imbued each musical number with a lyrical theme and vocal atmosphere to engage you in reflection, stroke the political side of you, and tickle you right in the funny bone.

Songs focused on her Nazi German Shepard, borrowed lines unashamedly from Hamilton, became love song dedications to Stanley Tucci and reflected incredulously on the short period it takes to be awarded a gun and be given the power to serve and protect. If Gabbi Bolt were a thermometer, she’d be right on the exact temperature of the political and social climate.

When you go to see Gabbi Bolt’s last few shows - not if, but when - be sure to film it, take photos and tag @gabbiboltofficial on Instagram so she has footage to use this time round.

Adult:

All Tix $37.00

Concession:

All Tix $33.00

Group (6+):

All Tix $30.00

Tightarse Tuesday:

$30.00

Early Bird:

All Tix $28.00

Butterfly Club Member:

All Tix $30.00