Bamford’s on-stage persona is a candy-voiced bundle of highly-controlled mania, staring out through eyes so wide that if they opened any more her eyeballs might fall out. Her face is utterly liquid, and if there’s one comedian who can make an audience laugh without a single recognisable word, it’s her.
It’s been a few years since Bamford came out from the US to the Comedy Festival, and a few more since she took home the coveted Barry Award, and she’s got four years worth of well-developed material in her kit bag as a result. Fans of Bamford may recognise chunks of the show from her Christmas Special, but there’s really nothing like the electric craziness and spot-on timing of Bamford’s delivery to a live audience.
Bamford’s ability to transform into a full cast of characters is legendary, and allowed her to perform her sitcom show, Plan B with an all-star cast of one. This year, she brings back her mother, sister and father, along with doughy co-workers, dog trainers, phone operators and one very special brassy comedienne alter-ego. Despite Bamford’s unashamed oddity, her characters are all so subtly terrifying that when she returns to her own vague, chirruping voice, we know we’re back to sanity. Even if sanity involves living in a gravy boat filled with delicious gravy.
Bamford’s acerbic internal monologue leaves no topic unstirred, swinging through observations on international relations, pug ownership, the US’s bait-and-switch churches, celebrities, Oprah, living in a Mexican neighbourhood, relationships, racism, mental illness and possibly the greatest suicide prevention technique ever made known to humankind. No, I won’t tell you what it is. You’ll have to go see the show to find out.
Maria Bamford is a true original, and never fails to offer a good left-field laugh. It’s hard not to predict big things for her, and also hard not to want to stuff her in your pocket and take her home.
Maria Bamford
Melbourne Town Hall – Lower Town Hall
March 31 – April 17
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
March 30 – April 24
For more coverage see our dedicated Comedy Festival mini-site.
