Pink Flappy Bits: The Flappaganza (MICF)

The boom in sex-positive, femme-centric performances at MICF is a phenomenal stride in the way of comedic exposure and progress. What may have previously been considered an underground movement is quickly making its way towards the zeitgeist, and Pink Flappy Bits have well and truly hopped on for the ride.

The duo of Lou Mapleston and Tara Dowler are superbly adept at blending conversational and musical comedy, but unfortunately, their skills lie further in the prewritten material and less in the realm of showcase hosts. Their self-aware and semi-deadpan tone is hilarious, however this particular energy is not well-suited to the role of MCs.

Diana Nguyen is the first cab off the ranks for tonight's Flappaganza, and the comic's stand-up immediately has the audience in stitches. Her crowd work is masterful and the stories of Nguyen's life as a full-time actor paint a brilliant picture of the performer's own little world. Following swiftly is the brilliant Jude Perl, and her cabaret songs on sharehouses and deconstructing the tradition R&B love ballad are inspired. It's a quick burst of energetic genius that will surely gather an audience for her upcoming shows. Finally, the octopus queen herself, Clara Cupcakes. Armed with a ukulele in the shape of her saccharine namesake, Cupcakes (Elly Squire) is a kooky font of musical silliness that is just too darn sweet to dislike.

The Flappaganza may have a few teething issues to get through, but it's certainly on the way to excellence.

Pink Flappy Bits presents The Flappaganza, till Apr 9 at the Butterfly Club, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.