Have you ever wanted to travel through time? Not to change history, nor save lives, but to be a tourist and visit those who you just know would be your bosom buddy or soulmate, had you only existed in the same lifetime?
In her Australian debut, London’s unhinged and time-thirsty socialite takes to the Melbourne stage in Max Norman’s Coco the Time-Travelling Tart, making your time-travelling dreams possible, with random taxis that are bending the time-space continuum per trip, equipped with a touch of unadulterated chaos. Avengers, Dr. Who, Marty McFly, and Bill and Ted, eat your heart out!
Coco the Time-Travelling Tart is the fabulous and sassy drag persona of Max Norman who has honestly created something occasionally educational, completely silly, and insanely clever. From Elizabethan times, Ancient Egypt, to the Garden of Eden, Norman masterfully fuses history and physical comedy, reigning Coco in to be the most intelligent woman in the room (and she knows it), while Coco enthusiastically travels all over the world and through time with ease, in a great search to find her missing pearl earring.
With the audience playing the fellow passengers and making various manoeuvres depending on the destination (how big is this taxi?), and little bit of sexcapades along the way, Max Norman’s Coco the Time-Travelling Tart is unapologetically witty, boldly absurd and fucking hilarious.
The show requires a lot of audience participation, and no, it doesn’t matter where you sit. Front row, back row, you are not safe if you catch this queen bee’s eye. Some audience members are given roles and jobs, and honestly, it is thoroughly encouraged to get into the spirit. After all, you won’t be seeing any of these same people again, right? Fearlessly, I sat in the front row and found myself kissing Coco’s ring, gifted to her by her favourite pharaoh, ‘Ferrero Rocher’.
There is actually a narrative to this show, although it does allow for some entertaining improv, dependent on the interactions from the audience. The crowd work is superb and there’s nothing better than a show that will keep you guessing right to the end. Plus, the conclusion is surprising and satisfying in more ways than one. *insert raised eyebrows here* Plus, Coco does it all! She even finds the moment to dodge lasers Catherine Zeta-Jones Entrapment style, and ziplines, via dolls on a string, during her adventures.
Hide your drinks! Coco the Time-Travelling Tart is a faultless show, with a time-trotting diva that’s cheeky, audacious, shameless, and guarantees you a damn good time.
Max Norman’s Coco the Time-Travelling Tart had its 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival debut at The Motley Bauhaus – Theatrette until April 5th. Unfortunately, we caught the final show of the Melbourne festival run, but we are hoping that Coco returns. Coco the Time-Travelling Tart will also be playing at the 2026 Sydney Comedy Festival from the 22nd of April to the 26th at Factory Theatre.
For more information visit:
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/coco-the-time-travelling-tart
https://www.sydneycomedyfest.com.au/event/coco-the-time-travelling-tart
https://www.cocotime.world
https://www.instagram.com/coco.timetart
Photography supplied.