Melbourne International Comedy Festival review by Annette Slattery

Geraldine Quinn is proudly speaking up for the childless spinster, celebrating the hell out of her status. She’s not childless she’s child-free, she’s not husbandless she’s unfettered by patriarchal influence.

The statuesque Quinn cuts a flamboyant figure as she hits the stage, all feathers, frock and fabulousness. Instantly breaking into song she introduces the audience to the title track, replacing terms such as spinster, older auntie, PANK (Professional Auntie No Kids) and old maid with her own: Modern Day Maiden Aunt.

Quinn tells of her adult life using half a dozen original songs which punctuate the stand-up. She takes us from high school and university to becoming an auntie and through to today.

This show is not anti-children or anti-family. In fact Quinn speaks with great love about her nieces and nephews. When it comes to the rest of the family her love is obvious but it’s served with a pinch of salt. No matter how well meaning the intentions are, says Quinn, relationship advice like ‘try not to be so picky’ comes across as an admonishment rather than encouragement.

What Quinn does so well is express strong and unrelenting opinions without ever veering into bitterness or recrimination. Her self-deprecating manner, humour and habit of constantly swigging from a wine bottle carry her through the show without ever creating the impression that she is preaching.

Quinn gives powerful performances in all of her musical pieces, infusing her lyrics with both comedy and complexity. Her spoken pieces also contain a strong and delightful vein of original humour, extracting laughs from her demeanour, speaking volumes with a simple raised eyebrow.

If there’s a negative, it’s that the stand-up intervals seem a little demure. Cabaret style comedy is exaggerated by nature and while Quinn’s timing is spot on, it misses the injection of the energy she brings to her musical performances.

Although speaking out in a strong voice about her lifestyle choices, Quinn also recognises the shortfalls those choices have brought. This leads into a finale which brings a note of sweet pathos to round out this strong, funny and insightfully entertaining show.

Review date: 4 Apr 2014
Reviewed by: Annette Slattery
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival