Gillian Cosgriff, Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s darling, is known for her music style comedy, insane talents, and signature storytelling which requires input from her audience.
Having previously seen her shows Actually, Good and Fresh New Worries, I had wondered how Cosgriff would fair with her newest show Life, Oh Life, taking inspiration from that 90s Des’ree song ‘Life’ for her comedy show title. What actually unfolded during her hour-long feel-good set was a unique wholesomeness that you just wish you could bottle up and take with you, and in a way you do.
Life, Oh Life visits topic of life, time, alternate universes/timelines, being a child, being human, and focusing on what makes us happy in this current crazy world, even if it’s romantasy tales about sexy dragons, sexy fairies, or sexy boats.
Not only are Gillian’s original songs funny, they’re cleverly written, thought provoking, joyful, and will leave you with a lot to ponder long after the show is over. Equipped with a grand piano, microphone and adorned in a gorgeous white and shiny bespoke gown with blue accents, actually drawings of every topic she visits during this intelligent show, Gillian inspires her Melbourne audience to be more understanding of other generations and think outside the box, all while wearing her heart on her sleeve.
At a certain point, we’re given tiny brown envelopes and are instructed to open them in unison. Inside reveals handwritten advice from an audience member from the previous show, each one unique, and I couldn’t help but wonder what everyone else had written on theirs. The one I received had written, “The grass is never greener, jump over the mountain”, and I must confess, it took me a while to try figure out what my advice meant.
During the final moments of the show, it became our turn to write advice for the next audience, to which I wrote, “Always try to find the beauty in art and try to experience something new”. You couldn’t help but feel moved by this notion afterwards. Not only would everyone’s advice be completely different, but no Life, Oh Life show would ever be the same. This sweet Australian musician and comedian has mastered a format over the years that enriches her storytelling and shows in the best way.
Evident from the beaming smiles of patrons when submitting their envelopes, filled with fresh new advice, into a giant box that Gillian holds on the way out, Gillian Cosgriff’s Life, Oh Life is entertaining, heart-warming, inspiring and her best show yet. You’ll feel a little lighter, a little more positive and uplifted after attending this unique and beautiful show.
You may find yourself wondering on whether your advice left for the next audience member will touch their heart, or be weird like me, search the internet to buy the books on sexy fairies and sexy dragons (and I did!).
Gillian Cosgriff’s Life, Oh Life is currently playing as part of the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival at Arts Centre Melbourne’s The Show Room until April 19th. She will also be touring this show nationally.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/life-oh-life
https://comedy.com.au/tour/gillian-cosgriff
https://www.instagram.com/gilliancosgriff
Photography supplied.