hayley-butcher

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2017: Hayley Butcher – Pressure Down

Melbourne-based actor, writer, and director Hayley Butcher presents her solo stand up debut Pressure Down at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Best known as half of comedy duo Dash and D’Bree, Butcher is no stranger to the Melbourne scene, having been nominated for a Green Room Award and also having recently performed for the 2016 Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

Pressure Down is a witty account of a new mum’s journey through early motherhood, set to the music of one of Australia’s most legendary musicians, John Farnham.

Butcher’s recollection begins rather calmingly, describing the soothing feeling of pregnancy and the excitement that comes with it. That notion doesn’t last long. As a stay-at-home mum, she hilariously depicts the trials and tribulations of mountains of laundry, the monotony of daytime television, and trying to keep her child entertained for more than two minutes at a time. She amusingly illustrates the perils of the terrifying mothers at the park and how mothers themselves can be the most judgemental beings to one another.

Including iconic tunes such as ‘Sadie the Cleaning Lady’, ‘Touch of Paradise’ and of course, ‘Pressure Down’, Butcher illustrates the trials and tribulations a full-time mum in the middle of a post-natal identity crisis. At times, a little confronting, but it’s her refreshingly honest portrayal that makes Butcher so comically relatable.

– Dani
Dani Smarrelli is the alter ego of Melbourne performer NUSSY. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @nussymusic.

Pressure Down runs until April 23rd at The Forum Theatre – Ladies’ Lounge. Purchase tickets now.
The venue is accessible.

Read The Plus Ones’ guide to MICF 2017, and visit often to see all our reviews.

Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Hayley Butcher.
Image credit: Melbourne International Comedy Festival.