The hack way of describing hack comedy is to imply that it’s all about the difference between cats and dogs. So it’s a brave comic who tackles that subject – and then leaves the cat out of the equation.

Undaunted, JoanneBrookfield has nonetheless dedicated a whole hour to her relationship with her now-dead German Shepherd, Murphy – aka Princess Pissy Pants The Greedy Cheese Eating Bitch of the title.

It’s a tough task getting other people interested in something so personal, yet which they don’t inherently care about. Like children, although your dog is special and gifted and wonderful, you really don’t want to hear a single word about someone else’s.

So it is testament to Brookfield’s innate storytelling skill that she does keep the audience on-side and interested throughout all her shaggy dog stories. She’s naturally engaging, from the moment she establishes an early rapport with fellow dog owners by showing an interest in their pets to the poignant tale of canine devotion that concludes the show.

Along the way we hear plenty of stories about the naughty dog, whose bad behaviour is only encouraged by Brookfield’s relaxed approach to discipline. This is a show that’s literally full of shit – Murph’s lack of house-training providing many an anecdote – as well as less scatological tales of her stealing food or frightening delivery boys. That Murphy is now dead gives this improbably-named show some closure; but not in any mawkish pathos-seeking way.

For a comedy show, it’s not particularly rich with laugh-out-loud moments, but Brookfield’s warm, chatty approach sees us through, and makes you feel a little better about the world, dog owner or not.

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Melbourne, April 2005