Glitter Bomb Comedy

The Toff In Town’s monthly comedy offering kicks off with a colourful bang, as the aptly titled Glitter Bomb begins under the watchful eye of MC Charity Werk. Though the magnetic drag queen falters occasionally with her stage presence, the Melbourne star shows immense potential – a rising star in both drag and stand-up.

First cab off the rank is never an easy job, but Elyce Phillips hits the mark with her incredible and bizarre sketch routine, cementing herself in the minds of the crowd as “funeral hotdog girl”. Following Phillips is the brilliant Anna Piper Scott, who hilariously and expertly shuts down dickheads as she tells stories about her experience transitioning. Then to close out the first act, musical maestro Lou Wall serenades her audience to the tune of bad Aussie kids’ names.

After a brief intermission in which Ms Werk all but demands further inebriation, the show returns with millennial art “critic” Emma Holland bringing some Gen Y improvements to the works of Vermeer and Picasso. Next, ABC favourite Josh Earl takes on those pesky baby boomers, before Scout Boxall hits the stage for a round of leotard-clad faux Eurovision Communist tunes. Yeah, that old chestnut.

The mildly dark style of Eli Landes is an odd choice for the penultimate act, but his unique delivery ultimately pairs well with tonight’s headliner: RRR host and local legend Geraldine Hickey. Her desert-dry, wry approach to mushroom-picking and travelling with in-laws is par for her own inimitable course, but it leaves the audience in stitches.

It’s always difficult to rate a night of rotating comics, but what’s clear is that Glitter Bomb is not only one of the most well-run shows in Melbourne, but also the most inclusive and exciting showcase around. Or, as secret surprise guest Wil Anderson put it: “the only time the straight, white, middle-aged man has been the minority”.