For those of us that rely on Taskmaster UK to introduce us to the plethora of exceptional comedic talent out there, you’ll be pleased to know that Fern Brady is just as charming at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as she is on TV. The season 14 fan favourite’s new stand-up show is an hour of dry quips and social commentary, ranging from meeting her spirit guide in the form of a stray cat on a beach in Thailand, to questioning why it is that Scotland has more monuments dedicated to dogs than to women.
When Brady first walks onstage, she dives into the classic ‘Melbourne vs. other-Australian-city-international-artist-has-toured-to-recently’ debate, winning us over very easily with a dig at Adelaide’s Easter Parade and limited Coles trading hours. From then on, we are with her completely. Going into depth about her love/hate relationship with Botox, she has us in stitches as she recalls the time that Miriam Margolyes ripped her to shreds for daring to interfere with her ageing, all whilst passing her immobile reaction to the situation as her ‘tism, and not the fresh dose of ‘tox in her forehead.
Botox is not the only pharmaceutical she is a fan of, however. A ‘committed stoner’, she praises Australia’s recognition of psilocybin as a treatment for depression, before launching into a wild tale of finding drug dealers whilst on holiday to gift her brother with a birthday treat of ‘mushroom therapy’ – before incidentally eating an entire bag of the things herself. Her delivery as she speaks of this anxiety inducing night is as nonchalant as if she is just telling us what she needs from the shops. Only afterwards we stop and think how absurd it all is, as is the way with many of her stories.
A recurring topic throughout her set are her experiences since being diagnosed with autism as an adult in 2021. Brady recalls the sudden boom of interest from certain celebrity competition shows (which may or may not feature activities such as ballroom and baking), wanting to collect her as their diversity token for that season. However bleak these prospects may sound, Brady spins them into something to laugh about, punching up at the audacity of these institutional programs.
Brady is a natural storyteller, effortlessly holding the audience in the palm of her hand. Though she’s extremely witty, the energy of the room felt more like we were all leaning in to meet the next weird and wonderful thing with a sudden cackle, rather than a constant uproar of laughter. Her ability to weave seemingly unrelated anecdotes together so smoothly is a true talent for a stand-up comic, with Brady managing to command the room while also making you feel like you’re just catching up with a mate over a pint.
I Gave You Milk to Drink, is playing until April 21 at the Rydges Ballroom, and it would be a shame to miss this grin-inducing evening. Tickets are available here.
