Julia Masli made a name for herself in the Fringe circuit and her show CHOOSH! was one of the best reviewed shows of Fringe 2022 so expectations are high. It’s late at night and I am honestly a little tired so I was really hoping for something great. As soon as the show begins I feel like I’ve been launched into some sort of weird hilarious fever dream.
It’s hard to explain quite what happens in this hour. Masli climbs over the audience, smashing things, and solving problems, in a fun yet slightly terrifying way. I’m no stranger to audience participation but I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous whenever she came near me.
Endeavouring to solve the audiences’ problems, Masli does what she can to help. Improving off the crowds’ stories, Masli comes up with solutions, and often times props to help them at the drop of a hat.
Most of the show is based around an audience member who has lost his mother, instead of creating an awkward or insensitive moment, Masli turned to the rest of the audience and brought everyone together in a lovely yet heartbreaking moment. The show then went on and many times rounded back to this one audience member and his story. It was very touching at points amongst the crazy ongoings.
Masli manages to round the show out incredibly well, bringing together the audiences’ stories and centring it around motherhood, creating a weird and wonderful end sequence. Although some audience members around me are convinced much of the audience are plants, I don’t think any of the people she spoke to except one were in on it. A talented improv performer and clown, this was a performance experience like none I had seen before and a wonderful hour of pure weirdness and humanity.
Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 4
Times Vary
Aug 13-27
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/julia-masli-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha