Michelle Brasier – a favourite on the festival circuit – is on top form in Reform, an all-singing, nonstop gag fest that will leave you howling with laughter.
Aussie native Brasier is not only a comedic force of nature, but she’s also a serious musical theatre talent. She strides on stage and immediately captivates the audience with the opening number, accomplished by her partner Tim Lancaster on guitar and Jordan White on the keys and drums. Reform is a show packed with laughs and songs that deserve their own Spotify playlist, with the musical comedy based mainly around a Facebook marketplace scam, with some detours into animal behaviour and feet fetishes.
At the heart of Reform is a story with so many bizarre plot twists it feels made up, but as Brasier takes through the story with screenshots of chat transcripts, you realise she’s the real deal. With social commentary woven in to keep things relatable and sharp, you can feel yourself getting drawn into the tale of deception and waiting with bated breath for the outcome.
The narrative may have some real WTF moments, but Brasier delivers them in a way that helps you understand some of her wild choices and wonder how you would deal with the situation yourself.
A story about second (third, fourth and fifth) chances, forgiveness and trying to see the best in people sounds awfully twee, but Reform is far from it. Every song is a banger, every punchline lands, and the audience laps up every twist and turn the story takes. Reform is a triumphant show that will leave you smiling for a long time afterwards and wondering if a Netflix special (or even a true crime podcast based on the show) is just around the corner.
‘Michelle Brasier: Reform‘ runs until 27 Aug 2023 at Gilded Balloon Teviot at 19.00 (not 16 Aug)