Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Maria Angelico is Cindy, a magician’s assistant, but the star of the show has done a disappearing act of his own, leaving her to entertain the audience.

After it becomes all-too-obvious she hasn’t got any tricks, she embarks on a rant that lays bare the weird, dysfunctional, sexist relationship between conjurer and female sidekick. Her job is to look pretty, stay quiet and do all the hard, unseen work to make the man look impressive and powerful – all while plastering an uncomplaining grin on her face to seem like she’s enjoying this demeaning position.

As the monologue goes on, it emerges that Cindy has specific, personal reasons for harbouring even deeper resentment towards magicians – which is apparently inspired by Angelico’s own experiences. 

The metaphor about the misogyny of women put in their boxes is obvious but carried lightly. Initially, the momentum is stop-start, but once the ‘show-must-go-on’ intensity recedes, Angelico draws us subtly into this story, and the pressures of being the ‘perfect’, submissive woman. 

This theatrical monologue showcases her acting range as she goes through the stages of frustration, understanding and finally defiance of her unreasonable employer. The script is peppered with witty lines and when required Angelico brings a clownish comedy to her performance – especially in the visually ridiculous climax.

Review date: 24 Apr 2022
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival