DeAnne Smith: Livin' The Sweet Life
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Central Casting couldn’t have done a better of supplying the archetypal hipster nerd. With her Justin Bieber hair, checked shirt and bowtie combo, and regulation glasses – and even that kooky intercap in her first name – you’d have DeAnne Smith pegged as a certain type of comedian long before she gets her ukulele out for a sweet song containing references to string theory, irrational numbers and English grammar.

But this immensely likeable Canadian has more strings to her uke than winsome, wear-your-smart-on-your sleeve whimsy. For one, the content is often surprisingly sexual for an apparently shy geek, including a short-lived, but hilariously overused, vulva-related catchphrase.

In fact, there’s probably something here for everyone, from social commentary on her white liberal guilt to gentle audience participation to frank admissions about her self-consciousness and pessimism. Not that either of these traits are visible to the observer, as she’s in subtle control of her material and the room, while exuding an adorably upbeat vibe.

Her clumsy-yet-charming personality shines through every candid anecdote, from her attempt at a one-night stand that ended in a gruesome visit to the emergency routine to her getting her first bikini wax – a potentially hacky story that she makes lively and original.

The Sweet Life is a double-edged title; which she uses to sarcastically described the minor luxuries in her poverty-stricken life – yet acknowledge the irony of such complaints by global standards. But don’t worry, any politics about the price of our First World Comforts is done with the daintiest of touches, as ensuring a good time is her No 1 priority – right up to the feelgood finale.

This is a strong, engaging hour of textured stand-up, with both attitude and good manners. Free-flowing laughs are guaranteed for nerds and non-nerds alike.