Fresh from her first Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Anna Piper Scott’s latest show for The Melbourne International Comedy Festival does not disappoint. The cult phenomenon of Melbourne’s comedy scene is here to finally reach her target demographic: heterosexuals.
Scott welcomes her audience by introducing herself individually as they sit. She acknowledges that this is something she likes to do to make everyone feel comfortable, as this may be someone’s first time meeting a “real-life trans woman”. The act is the kindest set up to a punchline imaginable, instantly setting the tone that she is allowing us to laugh with her at all the queer shenanigans soon to unfold.
A quick audience poll determines that a grand total of two people here are straight, and Anna reassures that this is a safe space for them – she has tens of hetero friends, after all. In fact, Scott explains that this show was made for the straights. She declares that upon seeing their undying love for Ed Sheeran as a cry for help, and receiving advice from fellow comedians to “tone down her queerness to gain success”, she has decided to give it a go.
Scott balances this perfectly – keeping her set ostensibly queer, but just as accessible for any fresh allies wandering in. In her first story of the evening, Scott recounts a tram ride where she was defended by a Pedro Pascal-esque cowboy from two shit-talking teenage boys. The entire interaction, having unfolded in Spanish, completely goes over Scott’s head, but the chivalrous act from said cowboy has Scott melting, calling into question her identity once again.
Identity and self-discovery are the threads that tie this piece together. Scott shares her own experience of not only discovering that she is transgender, but also of being a polyamorous, autistic, ADHD lesbian with a boyfriend. She reflects upon lightbulb moments throughout her life that have formed her identity, such as snorting ADHD medication at a party and proceeding to answer every email in her inbox, with shameless delight. Her partners’ experiences with their own gender and sexuality are also shared, with Scott gifting these tales with nothing but love in her eyes. A particularly warming moment is when Scott tells us about her partner coming out as a trans man, prompted by a ‘Birthday Boy’ badge gifted by her a week prior. The only hesitation about this Scott feels is the fact she once again needs to face the impending doom of becoming another bisexual female stand-up comic.
Despite the awards and rave reviews she has received across the Australian festival circuit, Scott has announced that None of That Queer Stuff is her final stand-up show for the foreseeable future. The hiatus is a direct result of the toll independently producing her work has taken on her – a feeling countless artists across Australia can surely resonate with whole-heartedly. Scott is an immensely talented and clever comic, and it feels like a true shame to have her potentially walk away from the industry forever. The entire audience were in stitches from her set, with many laughing before they could stop themselves at some of her more socially risqué takes. Scott herself states she is simply brave enough to tell her “group chat jokes on a stage”.
For a jubilant night out and maybe your last chance to see this vibrant performer at the top of her game, get along to see None Of That Queer Stuff, playing until Sunday, April 21 at DoubleTree by Hilton.
Tickets for Anna Piper Scott's show are available via the Melbourne International Comedy Fesitval website.
