Friday, 4 April 2025

1 & A Half Weddings & A Funeral review (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)

In 1 & A Half Weddings & A Funeral, Nikki Justice takes her audience on a whirlwind journey through her unpredictable and fascinating life. Growing up in a religious yet crime family, running away with a circus at 16, and diving headfirst into the mad world of bikie gangs and strip clubs, Justice shares her story with irreverent humour and raw honesty.

The pace at which Justice speaks mirrors the craziness of her existence. She scarcely takes a breath as she rushes from marrying a bikie to divorce, childhood memories to motherhood, a fateful trip to Vegas, and new loves along the way. At just 27 (in "stripper years"), it’s clear that Justice has packed more into her life than most do in a lifetime.

What makes Justice’s story particularly captivating is how, despite the specifically unconventional circumstances of her life - such as growing up with a father who was a drug dealer and a mother who was a sex worker - the worries and concerns she opens up about, like having financial security, her children’s futures and falling in love, are widely relatable. She tackles these topics with dark humour that some might find uncomfortable but be undeniably captivated by it.

This show doesn't follow a traditional structure, and while that leads to a bit of audience whiplash, it also keeps us on our toes, constantly surprised by where her storytelling takes us next. Her jokes can sometimes feel a little repetitive, but with further experience and time to hone her craft, she will indubitably continue to evolve as a storytelling comedian.

In 1 & A Half Weddings & A Funeral, Justice proves that the most unorthodox lives can often make for the most compelling stories. With her fearless attitude, razor-sharp humour, and unapologetic delivery, she pulls us into a narrative that, while chaotic and extreme, is grounded in universal themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning. Her love story may never be the central plot of How I Met Your Mother/Father, but it certainly makes for an unforgettable one-woman show. Justice’s energy and unique perspective leave a lasting impression, and there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing much more from her in the future.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: Bard's Apothecary, 7/24 Crossley St, Melbourne
Season:
until 5 April | 9.15pm
Duration:
60 minutes
Tickets:
 $25 Full | $23 Conc

Bookings:
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

No comments:

Post a Comment