Gillian English is a Canadian comedian married to an Aussie living in Tasmania. Her show, hosted at The Shoe Bar and Café (hint it is upstairs behind the bar, also the bar was packed, if you want a drink get their early!).

Anyone who has planned a wedding and had to deal with input from ‘helpful’ family will understand how stressful weddings can be and Gillian did it during a pandemic….twice!

So many moments of her routine were relatable, eating feelings, struggling into spanx, the idea of waiting too long to try for a baby and the harsh realities.

Gillian included her miscarriage and then spoke about her traumatic birth experience. Turns out (10 years since my last traumatic birth) listening to this was too soon. At one point I thought I might die as my body struggled to sob and double over in laughter at the same time. She managed to make something incredibly traumatic hilarious! It helps that it had a good outcome.

I will say to the sound tech, turn the volume down! It was a small venue (with amazing air conditioning!) with a small audience (likely due to the early time slot we saw). I think he thought he was at Wembley Stadium. Many sound techs I have worked with over the years wear ear plugs so they don’t damage their hearing. If you are wearing them in a venue that size for a stand up – take them out! It was too harsh.

The audience members were a diverse bunch, with newly weds, new parents to those more seasoned in marriage, we are coming close to 20 years and the couple next to us are close to 50 years and everyone could relate. Everyone was laughing and having a good time.

I will add, since you asked Gillian, you have the perfect body and face for Helen of Troy!