Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Playwright-turned-comedian Dana Mitchell excels at creating fully-realised, eccentric characters. Though often more peculiar than laugh-out-loud, they have a slow-burn effect, drawing audiences into the uniquely off-kilter worlds which they so convincingly inhabit.

Her first alter-ego shuffles into a cabaret dinner club laden with shopping bags, physically taking up a huge amount of space and looking the worse for wear. She seems like a meticulously drawn cartoon, or perhaps a figure from an old silent comedy movie, French possibly, as she slumps into her chair and starts a grumpy exchange with the unseen waitress.

She’s here to see her beloved crooner, but ends up picking a fight with fellow diners that takes a turn for the extreme. The dialogue is played out on the soundtrack, Mitchell lip-synching perfectly.

This is not however, a wordless comedy show, nor one that is based entirely on imaginary creations, as Mitchell next rewinds to her time at an all-girl Catholic high school and the poisonous, passive-aggressive female friendships that pervaded the corridors. And if this persona appears weak and compliant, she’ll switch it up later to become a sexually frustrated aunty, unsubtly hitting on her niece’s boyfriend.

With the aid of director Dylan Murphy, a recreation of a local  American TV news report into a dog attack is pitch-perfect, nailing every beat of the clichéd melodramatic report and portentous presentation, from setting up the ordinary day to the sinister turn to the reflective music at the end.

 The attention to detail matches The Day Today, which used the real-life tricks of the news trade to make its satire appear authentic. Similar attention to detail comes in her description of fat-shaming British TV series of her youth, such as How To Look Good Naked.

Mitchell’s comedy festival debut – having been nominated for best comedy at the last Melbourne Fringe – proves a convincing demonstration of her versatility and ability to occupy slightly grotesque caricatures, while making them seem entirely feasible. 

• Dana Mitchell: The Lady Will Have is on at The Motley Wherehaus at 7.30pm from tomorrow until April 19.

Review date: 15 Apr 2026
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett