Have you ever gone through a breakup before? Of course you have! Well, whether it’s a recent breakup, or something raw from the past, Ariana and the Rose has the show for you.
Hailing from New York and in here in her Melbourne International Comedy Festival debut, Ariana and the Rose melds her musical talents together with humour so well, it doesn’t feel like a comedy show. It feels like therapy!
This American synth-pop princess welcome us in, kicking the show off by displaying her insane vocal chops, knocking it out of the park. I was already floored and the show had just started! Although, we had just met and she was already saying goodbye to the audience with ‘I Just Came To Say Goodbye’? Well, it is a breakup themed show!
Ariana and the Rose makes her Breakup Variety Hour feel imitate. It’s not just a comedy show; it’s a pop concert with stories, a support group, a community, and a gathering of collective healing. It didn’t matter whether you were single, recently heartbroken, or loved up, everyone in the room could relate to some of Ariana’s stories.
Visiting emotions of heartache, denial, frustration, anger, transformation, self-love and joy, The Breakup Variety Hour has Ariana going through several fun steps on dealing with a breakup. Sometimes with good advice, sometimes it’s just the American songstress going through the motions of what happened to her, and that’s okay. The show itself was penned together with its songs, which is why its concept and execution are seamless.
If you feel like sharing your own ex-girlfriend/boyfriend story, there’s the opportunity to do so where Ariana encouragingly invites audience members on stage to share of any crazy tales. This is smart because every show would essentially be different. Although I have gone through my fair share of break ups, in that moment, I admittedly was too focused on just enjoying Ariana’s show to contribute any of my own stories. Honestly, it’s a testament to her work more than my brain not working!
Ariana and the Rose is a singer and songwriter first and foremost, so her comedy feels natural. Like a friend sharing juicy gossip in a safe space, and during a girl’s night out at karaoke, except the karaoke is all of Ariana’s original songs. Bangers include my personal favourite ‘Villain’ and disco-inspired ‘Back In The Groove’.
Whether you come for the music or for the break-up stories, regardless of your initial reason, an hour with this pocket rocket guarantees you an entertaining time. Confident and irresistibly likeable, this multi-talented New York creative takes you on a rollercoaster journey of learning to love again. After all, living well is the best revenge.
Ariana and the Rose’s The Breakup Variety Hour is currently playing as part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Trades Hall – Solidarity Hall until April 19th. She then heads to the Sydney Comedy Festival to perform at the Enmore Theatre on April 23rd and 24th.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/the-breakup-variety-hour
https://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/event/ariana-the-rose-the-breakup-variety-hour
https://www.instagram.com/arianaandtherose
Photography supplied.