She’s beauty, she’s grace, she’s got insane vocal chops and has got a lot to say.
It’s been too long since Gabbi Bolt last graced the comedy festival circuit. Having seen Gabbi in both 2022 with I Hope My Keyboard Doesn’t Break and in 2023 with Odd Socks, the musical comedian finally makes a triumphant return to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her new show, Small Poppy.
The antithesis of tall poppy syndrome, Gabbi Bolt’s Small Poppy shares of the struggles of striving for success, while trying to compete with the noise of everything else that’s happening in the world right now. On top of that, Gabbi has the dilemma of needing to write a speech for students to hear at her old school, who want to give her an award. But how does a young comedian share the tales of success to the little kids with big dreams, when you’re a multi-instrumentalist, writer, composer, actor, comic, and yet despite all your talents, are still juggling multiple jobs?
Small Poppy is an emotional, observant and musical spiral of Gabbi Bolt in real time, visiting imposter syndrome, self-doubt, superstition, ‘personality hires’, the life and trials of Roman king Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the idea of being an ‘IT GIRL’, and communist boyfriends. Whether on the keyboard, loop station, rapping, channelling Charli XCX, or magically whipping out a piano accordion from thin air, Gabbi gives it her all on stage with full energy and phenomenal vocals, fiercely reminding you on why exactly she received an award for Best Newcomer at the 2022 Sydney Comedy Festival (although, I was very stressed she’d knock her award over during her set).
Small Poppy although incredibly fun, isn’t really about Gabbi Bolt’s successes, failures or even bad luck. Instead, Small Poppy is a cleverly written show, and Gabbi’s best work yet, that proudly showcases Gabbi’s musical talents, her growth in the last few years, how she’s steadfast in remaining her authentic self, whilst also reminding you in case you forgot, she’s not just one thing.
Small Poppy is fiercely intelligent, feisty, stupendous, surprisingly educational, witty, bold, brave and unapologetically funny in the best way possible. Bravo, Gabbi. Bravo.
Gabbi Bolt’s Small Poppy is currently playing at The Malthouse – Playbox as part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until the 19th of April. She will then head to both the Sydney Comedy Festival and the Brisbane Comedy Festival in May.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.instagram.com/gabbiboltofficial
https://www.malthousetheatre.com.au/whats-on/comedy-festival-2026/gabbi-bolt-small-poppy
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/gabbi-bolt-small-poppy
https://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/event/gabbi-bolt-small-poppy
https://www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com/events/gabbi-bolt
Photography supplied.