Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Plundering embarrassing teenage diaries for every cringe-inducing detail has become such an established sub-category of comedy that a BBC Radio 4 series based on the premise has run for 11 series.

It often seems like an easy choice for a comedian, given that simply repeating the original, mortifying, thoughts from a naive mind can get a laugh – and that’s certainly the case for Mish Wittrup’s contribution to the genre. But her theatrical personality and innate megawatt likability sell the material well. She has complete mastery of her audience, who in turn absolutely adore her.

Now 36, Wittrup stumbled across her journal while moving out of her house – a set-up that unwinds, one revelation at a time, to suggest she wasn’t in the best of places when she unearthed it. Not that you would know that from her intensely upbeat stage persona. 

Written between the ages of 11 to 13, the diary’s entries are telling insight into pre-teen angst from a time when the world is small and every incident is a huge drama.

The pivotal entry is a five-page statement of intent in which she set out her life’s ambitions. Needless to say her plan was both woefully misguided and desperately unrealistic. But some of the certainties of 25 years ago sparks contemplation about her life as it is now, allowing her to ponder topics such as whether she wants kids.

Elsewhere, Wittrup’s often inappropriate mum is a source of laughs, inspiring one entry that lists all the reasons why she was such a bitch. Lest the audience doubt the provenance of the material, a Powerpoint presentation shows some extracts, too.

There is an unfiltered honesty in the writing of a pre-teen, and sharing that brings the audience into the comic’s circle of confidence, enhancing the intimacy of the gig.

Wittrup briefly suggests there were also plenty of bleak times in those formative years – though she does not go into details. On the evidence of this show, she is not the sort of comedian who seeks to pack an emotional punch by contrasting light and dark. She just wants her audience to have fun – and they surely do.

• Mish Wittrup: Not As Good As I Remember is on at The Greek at 7.20pm (6.20pm Sundays; no show Mondays) until April 19.

Review date: 6 Apr 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival