On investigation of the flyer for Claire Healy’s ‘A Little Too Much Information‘, I was expecting some sort of light hearted stand-up (blame the adorable matching bowler hat). When I descended into the bowels of the ever-amazing Butterfly Club, some alluring piano and a lovely voice quickly told me I was in for something much more cabaret-y.
I never knew I needed a musical about the glory of every random piece of crap you end up impulse buying at Aldi – but I needed it, and Claire has hinted at the beautiful thing it could potentially be. Someone get a grant and make that thing quick.
I can totally imagine Claire singing alongside a orchestra for her wonderful little ditties, whether about fiscal responsibility or prehistoric pets. There were a few disconcerting moments with longer ballads that were just… ballads, with a loosely tied punch line at the end. It’s kinda uneasy waiting through the whole song for a laugh that never comes and instead you just get stuck with all those damn feelings about relationships and rejection. I don’t need feelings, I have far too many already.
Claire was big on crowd participation though, and it was great. I even got a free candle upon promising not to light it – The Butterfly Club would not be an easy place to evacuate. There was also a wonderful musical version of Never Have I Ever, with bubbles involved. Dammit Claire. You know my weaknesses are bubbles and singing. And secrets – especially when it’s a comedian exposing her housemates shames…while she’s sitting in the audience. That was what I want in every show.
Claire Healy put on a great show of singing, dinosaurs and exposed souls. Who can say no to that?
-Jasmin Ashton
Jasmin Ashton is a PR whiz and freelance writer/designer from Melbourne who has a lot of feelings about pretty much everything. Find her at @Jasmanna.
‘A Little Too Much Information‘ runs from 22 March to 3 April. The Butterfly Club is not wheelchair accessible.
Check out our guide to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for more great shows.
