Lobster in a Glass review | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | The Motley Wherehaus

Every now and again, life decides to absolutely wreck your plans, your ambitions, and your carefully curated sense of self. In Lobster in a Glass, Jenna Suffern dives headfirst into those moments, drawing comedy from the chaos when things go slightly or spectacularly wrong. Across the hour, she revisits a series of derailments, shaping them into sharp, engaging anecdotes.



From a career-ending sports injury in school to realising she was gay and later non-binary, Suffern’s life has been stopped in its tracks more than once, requiring several realignments along the way. Through it all, she mines these disruptions for humour, turning detours into stories that are recognisable and somewhat absurd.

Publicly celebrated as a 'prominent Sydney lesbian', Suffern doesn’t shy away from exploring how her identity intersects with her misadventures, blending honest reflection with instances that are often unexpectedly amusing. The show takes a little while to find its rhythm, but the second half delivers stronger, well-crafted observations and experiences of life’s uncertainties that leave you in disbelief. One particular tale of two girls who knock on their front door asking to use a phone charger is gobsmackingly funny, and the deeper she takes us into that night, the more vivid the recollection becomes, with a fitting yet surprising twist.



Another highlight comes when Suffern discovers her name on a very strange list of comedians. While not life-changing, it’s a further example of considering who she is and how she’s perceived, making these awkward moments into familiar but funny material.



Her fixation on becoming a star, rooted in a psychic’s prediction from her youth, connects well to her drive to make something of her life and the various setbacks that have shaped that journey. The final reveal, though, lacks a bit of punch and loses some focus, rather than delivering a clear, decisive close that ties everything together.



Lobster in a Glass is an entertaining hour of stand-up with Suffern displaying authenticity, humour, and thoughtful musings. Not every joke lands perfectly, but Suffern’s performance and wit make it an enjoyable look at life’s unpredictable turns.

Read our interview with Jenna here.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: until 5 April | 7:30pm

Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $30 Full | $26 Conc
 | $22 Tightarse Tuesday
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival