As The Breast Of The Fest returns for another year, the cast of female-identifying comics grows stronger than ever. With returning stand-up Rose Bishop at the helm, the energy takes a moment to pick up, but Bishop’s brilliant asides on mental health and modern living get the crowd on board.
Katherine Allan takes to the stage next, and though the comic initially struggles to find her footing, her comedic ability speaks volumes. Her musings on her Gold Coast home are expertly jarring, ending Allan’s set on a high.
One new addition to the show is local up-and-comer Avery Hutley, whose sharp-tongued observations on her experiences as a trans woman offer a hilariously fresh voice to the show. Her grating commentary on the female experience is wholly unique and brilliantly sinister at times. She’ll be synonymous with the local scene very soon.
Closing out the evening is RAW finalist and Comedy Zone member Emma Holland. With her artistic flair working overtime, Holland uses diagrams and images to value the worth of “golden” items and rework classic works of art for a millennial audience. It’s 21st century oddball comedy at its finest, delighting and confusing the young and not so young respectively.
The Breast Of The Fest remains one of the most positive and important shows at the festival. Their policy of inclusivity as a safe space for female-identifying performers is welcomed by the entirety of the room and indeed the whole of MICF. As punters leave the venue, wallets are emptied in support of the Light The Way Home initiative, which offers free transport for at-risk performers at the festival. It’s a beautiful way to end the night, and a reminder of the love and support for vulnerable people of the local comedy community.
