Gossip review | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | The Motley Bauhaus

Don’t tell anyone I told you, but … it’s a phrase many of us have uttered - or at least been told. That tantalising morsel of someone else’s business that gives us a strange, guilty pleasure. But why? In Gossip, Abigail Banister-Jones sets out to investigate whether gossip makes us a better person, and why it feels so good.

Banister-Jones brings a great energy to the stage, with playful banter that draws the audience in. She bounces off a wide range of sources like the Bible, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Gossip Girl, creating a mix of perspectives and cultural touchstones that keeps the exploration lively and relatable.

That said, some ideas could do with a bit of tightening. One segment, while humorous, veers into the topic of lying and if it can ever be considered a positive thing to do, which drifts away from the core theme of gossip. Similarly, a song about the what happens to a Local Man in the local newspaper is disconnected from the main thread.

Of course, a show about gossip wouldn’t be complete without … actual gossip. And being an usher, Banister-Jones has plenty to share. There’s that Groundhog Day rumour (confirmed as true!) and the tale of what one usher at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child did to get fired (gasp!). My personal highlight of the show is her commentary on Ruby Rose's acting in 2:22: A Ghost Story, where her impersonation of Rose in that role is genuinely more convincing than Rose's. That’s not gossip though - it’s fact. And a hot tip: if an usher ever tells you a show is 'lovely', run for the hills.

The musical numbers borrow the tunes of familiar songs, but rewritten lyrics and subtle shifts to the music itself make these fresh and entirely her own. There are fun lighting choices, like a torch during the usher scenes, and some well-timed audio cues that add a nice lift to the show.

Gossip is not a lovely show. It’s sharp, mischievous, and full of laughs, with Banister-Jones finding humour in the juicy, absurd, and dastardly corners of human behaviour. There’s much to explore, and she’s already uncovered some gems. Here’s hoping the show gets further development to spill even more of its secrets. xoxo

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: The Motley Bauhaus, 118 Elgin St, Carlton
Season: until 29 March | 5:45pm

Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $36 Full | $31 Conc
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival