Hannah Gadsby - Woof!

Hannah Gadsby deals with anxiety in an amusing and endearing manner in this show. Gadsby’s acquaintance with this emotion is legendary and they demonstrate that comedy is a powerful weapon against it. Gadsby has a whole range of new worries that plague their vibrant and sharp mind. This show has a very stream of consciousness style, expressing a very calm and often bemused outlook to current global and personal woes.

There is a very strong sense of being in dialogue with Gadsby as they touch on issues that have probably been buried in a very deep collective unconscious. It takes someone with Gadsby’s sharp intellect and astuteness to surface them and raise questions that we often don’t dare to address in such an open and direct manner. Gadsby does this in both comfortable and confronting ways. In this show they are able to be sardonic without being bitter and shed light on questions that range from the banal to the existential. This is delivered in ways that are equally hysterical and enlightening.

Gadsby likened their show to a therapy session, and it definitely has a similar cathartic effect. There is a great sense of release of a range of pent-up emotions that are difficult to identify or access. Part of Gadsby’s comic genius is being able to touch on very raw social nerves, sometimes with great bravery and sometimes with great trepidation. This is what gives their comic style such an edge. Although Gadsby seems to meander with her thoughts and the structure of the show may appear somewhat loose there is nothing ad hoc about Woof! This show is a soulful and edifying opportunity to share a space, some time and thoughts with an individual who is truly a treasure. 

Patricia Di Risio