Puss Puss review | Natalia Sledz | Melbourne International Comedy Festival | The Motley Wherehaus

Natalia Sledz unleashes a chaotic, keenly observed feline world in Puss Puss, blending physical comedy, music, and surreal imagery into a largely silent hour of gleeful, unapologetic absurdity. It quickly establishes a distinct setup, inviting the audience to experience this reality through Puss Puss’ warped, instinct-driven lens.



At the centre of it all is Sledz’s skilfully measured performance. She captures feline behaviour with remarkable precision, from her fixation on noisy toys and anything that glints to her perfectly coughed up furballs and when an audience member sprays her with water. Every movement is intuitive, detailed, and finely tuned for maximum comedic impact.



Sledz shows a strong command of clowning through timing, repetition, and a deep awareness of the audience. As Puss Puss, she leans into hesitation, curiosity, and escalation, allowing reactions to shape the rhythm of scenes in a way that is spontaneous while remaining carefully controlled. Moments are given space to breathe, then pushed further as she responds to the room, creating a collective dynamic where the audience becomes part of the unfolding logic. This balance between control and openness reinforces the character, making Puss Puss natural and unpredictably alive, even within a clearly structured framework.



With dialogue kept to a bare minimum, and only when absolutely necessary, music becomes a key storytelling device. Sledz weaves it seamlessly into the action, with tracks like "My Neck, My Back (Lick It)" by Khia and Billie Eilish’s "What Was I Made For?" reimagined in unexpected ways. Each choice adds a unique tonal layer, enhancing the humour and the strangeness of Puss Puss’ world.



When she shifts into playing other characters, they are presented through Puss Puss' perspective. Everyday figures become exaggerated and faintly menacing, her owner turns into a sadistic cat lady determined to get her pet wet, while Sledz’ human-sized vacuum cleaner looms as a towering, transformer-esque presence with a wildly flailing appendage. These over-the-top distortions cement a committed point of view, where ordinary threats take on outrageous proportions.



The show develops into a series of increasingly unhinged scenarios, building momentum as it jumps further into its own ridiculousness. Some of its biggest laughs are best left unspoiled, the shocks and surprises land all the better for it, edging the audience into delighted disbelief.

By the end, that same energy is channeled into something oddly triumphant. Puss Puss emerges as a full-blown queen, more powerful and self-assured than seemed possible, and in doing so, Sledz pulls the audience completely into her world, where for an hour, rational thinking gives way to pure audacity and laughter. Its lightness makes Puss Puss easy to settle into, offering an escape that lets the audience fully disconnect and enjoy what Sledz builds on stage.

SHOW DETAILS

Venue: The Motley Wherehaus, 432 Queen St, Melbourne
Season: until 12 April | 7:30pm

Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: $31 Full | $28 Conc
Bookings: Melbourne International Comedy Festival