Dressed in a green velour tracksuit emblazoned with the word DRAMATIC, Tovey appears on stage with a hard-edged, “don’t mess with me” attitude. Yet beneath that tough exterior lies a vulnerability that instantly wins you over. The show is deeply personal, centring on their parents, particularly her father, who was sent to jail for a white-collar crime.
Tovey doesn’t simply recount the experience; she dissects the impact it had on her family and shines a light on the broader issues within the incarceration system. But she does so with levity, ensuring the story's weight is felt without feeling overwhelmed. The one-liners fly thick and fast and not all land, but that’s hardly a problem, because most are sharp, unexpected, and genuinely funny.
It takes a little time for Tovey to find her rhythm, with a couple of early anecdotes that could be tightened, but once she hits her stride, Tovey runs with it. She handles a minor audience disruption like a pro, never losing momentum. We’re also treated to two original songs, showcasing that she's not just a captivating storyteller but also a classically trained opera singer and acclaimed cabaret performer.
At its core, Glass Houses is a celebration of community, love, and family. It’s also a stark reminder that while you might think the prison system won't touch your life, it only takes one moment to change everything. It’s been a few years since I last saw an Alice Tovey show, and this performance made me regret that. She is engaging, witty, and criminally good.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: Storyville, 185 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Season: until 6 April | Tues - Sat 9.00pm, Sun 8.00pm
Duration: 55 minutes
Tickets: $29 Full | $26 Conc | $25 Tightarse Tuesday
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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