It is time for this country to help itself to A Little Treat. Taskmaster NZ star Melanie Bracewell gears up to embark on her third UK Tour. With more than a quarter of a million Instagram followers and large theatre audiences across Australia and New Zealand, this multi-award-winning performer is jet setting across the UK.
So, Melanie, what’s your show about and where can we see it?
My show is about the night I realised I had ADHD. I know every comedian has to have an ADHD show but mine is mainly about one chaotic night at the netball awards that really set it in stone. It’s like a series of bad decisions I made in an effort to get my car home. It’s touring all around the UK and Ireland.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I love storytelling, it also means I go and do fun exciting things in an effort to get a story about it. I did a show a couple years back about tracking down my lost AirPods and I thought “I could just make up what happens here” because a lot of comedians do that, but the best thing I could’ve done was actually turning up to the thief’s work and letting the chaos happen. It was the best decision I made for the show. It ended up being so much better than anything I could’ve ever made up.
What do you think makes great comedy/content/sitcom/etc?
I love a lot of different styles of comedy but I think the best type of joke makes you think, it lets you fill in the gaps yourself. A joke where half of the room gets it before the rest are my favourite jokes to write.
Steve Coogan’s character Alan Partridge does it so well. You can miss a joke if you don’t pay close enough attention.
Any advice for those starting out in comedy?
I think keeping yourself grounded is the best thing to do. This is a really exciting time, but going for walks, talking with your friends, eating well is probably the only real advice I can give. The creative side is all up to your instinct!
What have you been working on?
I’ve been working on a few things, but I just got engaged so my latest project is working out whether I care what colour napkins we have. And making a tier list of all my friends and family to cull down a list. It’s harrowing. Work related stuff, I’m writing a new show for the Melbourne Comedy Festival which I’m so excited to do, as well as a couple of small acting gigs.
Who are your favourite Funny Women?
I have so many I’ve been inspired by over the years. I love Kirsten Schaal because I was obsessed with Flight of the Conchords as a kid, and of course my name is Mel so I related a lot to that character.
Lisa Gilroy is a US actress and comedian I’ve been recently obsessed with. She is so incredibly fast, I really want to study her brain in a lab. It’s like she doesn’t know what she’s going to say until she’s already said it and I love it. She appears on a bunch of podcasts, and it’s an auto click every single time I see her as a guest.
Tig Notaro is one of my favourite stand ups, I love how dry and how in control she is. She can tell a 7 minute story about Taylor Dane and even though I had no idea who that was, I was hooked.
Ayo Edebiri is someone I wish I was friends with. A great actor, but just someone who exemplifies funny bones. I loved her Letterboxd, I love seeing her in interviews, and on podcasts. Naturally just hilarious.
And finally Celya AB is a friend and such a clever comic, her jokes are just pure wit and whimsy. Someone who I just clicked with instantly, a real respect for the craft. Can I say craft? Will that make me sound wanky? Oh well I’ve done it now.
Tickets for A Little Treat are on sale now here.
Keep up with Melanie Bracewell on Instagram here.
