There are some impressive moments in Hot Chicken Bags, particularly when Hogan taps into her strengths in music and performance. A song she wrote after breaking up with her girlfriend stands out, showcasing both her humour and vibrancy. This is further elevated when a music video for another track, “Hot Hot Chicken Bags”, plays, adding an extra layer of flair.
Hogan establishes conversational audience participation early on, allowing the crowd to contribute without needing explicit prompts. She responds well to these, keeping things light and enjoyable, and demonstrating a natural ease with improvisation.
However, not everything lands with the same clarity or purpose. Some are a little thin, including a joke about letting her bed sleep on her, which is quite random and goes nowhere. Similarly, a segment where she reveals how she spends time at her regular job is disconnected from the overall flow of the show.
Other parts, such as self-shot footage of Hogan attempting to acquire hot chicken bags from a local supermarket and a brief chicken-themed quiz, add a dose of humour. That said, when she relies more heavily on material without the framing of songs or interactive moments, some of the earlier spark and confidence is not as consistent.
Hot Chicken Bags is at its best when Hogan is performing her music and speaking with her audience. These capture the energy and charm that underpin the show, even as its looser segments and underdeveloped ideas occasionally disrupt the pacing. While it can feel uneven, her personality and willingness to try different approaches keep us engaged, resulting in great payoffs alongside areas that are not fully cooked.
SHOW DETAILS
Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: until 12 April | 6:15pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Tickets: $34 Full | $29 Conc & Tightarse Tuesday
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
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