Mrs Lovett’s Famous Meat Pies Grand Reopening Extravaganza review | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | The Motley Spielhaus

Having survived being thrown into an oven, along with a few other mishaps across the decades (and centuries), Mrs Lovett is back and ready for her grand reopening. Her ethically sourced human meat pie shop has set up in the heart of Melbourne at Queen Victoria Market, and this is no quiet return. With a handful of celebrity friends, including Jamie Oliver, lending a hand, Mrs Lovett invites her audience into a live pie-making demonstration that quickly spirals into something far more chaotic. And it all begins with a tuba. Yes, really.

Created and performed by Elliot Wood, Mrs Lovett’s Famous Meat Pies Grand Reopening Extravaganza is an unhinged, wild ride comedy that wastes no time finding its rhythm. When a performer starts at an energy level of 11 and somehow escalates to 15, with the audience happily swept up in this madness, you know you are in good hands.

Wood’s commitment to the role is unwavering. Beneath the outlandishness, they capture her relentless drive and the cracks hiding her frustrations and desperation, but also her refusal to give up. The script moves at a rapid pace, packed with wordplay, cheeky innuendo, and an almost never-ending stream of puns. The sheer density of it is impressive, but what really lands is how naturally Wood delivers it all. Nothing is forced, every line is delivered with precision, and the comedic timing is razor sharp.

Audience participation drives part of the action, but it is handled with care. Volunteers are brought in through clever staging that ensures only those willing are pulled into the spotlight, avoiding the usual awkwardness these situations can bring. Of course, live interaction always carries unpredictability, but Wood leans into it, adapting effortlessly and turning any response into something worth laughing at.

Wood is supported by Maxi Ford, who takes on multiple roles throughout the show, most notably Kitchenette, the 'enthusiastic' sous chef. Ford brings a playful contrast to our pie-maker’s intensity, adding another layer of chaos and charm to the performance.

The production makes excellent use of its space, with a set design that is both functional and fittingly scrappy for Lovett’s world. Under the direction of Maude Davey, the show maintains a tight flow, keeping the rapid-fire humour and frenetic energy from tipping into overwhelm. As scenes spiral, there’s a clear sense of control, allowing key moments to land rather than get lost in the frenzy. Costumes by Angel Donald and Wood, combined with hair and makeup, complete the illusion, helping to ground the character even as the narrative veers into absurdity.

Much like Mrs Lovett herself, Wood clearly loves what they do. That joy is infectious. While the pie-making may be a recipe for disaster, Mrs Lovett’s Famous Meat Pies Grand Reopening Extravaganza is a comedy cooked to perfection, celebrating the freedom to embrace what you love, no matter how bizarre, and to overcome anyone, or anything, that tries to stand in your way. Yes, even the Stephen Sondheim estate.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: The Motley Spielhaus, Berrbang Lane & Kulinbulok Lane, Melbourne
Season: until 4 April | Tues - Sat 8:30pm

Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $32 Full | $27 Conc

Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival