It’s November 2025!

We’re skidding to the end of the year! It’s probably a bit early for reflections, but here’s a little catch up!
Welcome to my new subscribers and thanks for opting in. And big thanks to all my friends who helped out with the show and with capturing some audience feedback.

I had a great time launching Unbelievable for Melbourne Fringe. The audiences were lovely. Lots of people said the show made them cry. It’s a little strange to be proud that my ‘comedy’ show made people cry! I’ve never quite feel like the label of comedy/comedian fits my work/me, but it’s the one that’s most readily available. I then often put a subheading of Storytelling, Theatre, or Cabaret. Anyway, I do feel proud. There’s something magical about connecting with people emotionally. The show is mostly funny!

Yes – I stood on a ladder to overcome my short stature without a raised stage! Photo: Darren Markey

It was great working with Grouse Melbourne AND they won Melbourne Fringe’s Venue of the Year award! Wes and the team created a beautiful little hub of fun, queer and accessible events. The cocktails are great too!

If you have’t seen it and/or want to see it again (because after all every show is different. The structure of the show means that there are always bits that make it in or not and there’s a bit of improvising. The show will also be different in different venues, as I make use of the space), you can see it – and tell people you know to see it – at the following places:

  • Sat 6th Dec 2025 Mechanic Institute, Trentham, Vic
  • Wed28th Jan 2026, The Actors’ Hub, East Perth, WA
  • Fri 30th Jan 2026, The Sail & Anchor, Fremantle, WA
  • Sat 31st Jan 2026, Ritz Party Showroom @ Rocky Fringe Festival Rockingham, WA
  • 12-15th March 2026, Hymn Bar, Adelaide, SA
  • 28th-30th March 2026, Comedy Central Hotel, North Melbourne, Vic
  • August, Edinburgh Fringe TBC! I had intended to take Disgraceful to Edinburgh in 2024, but life threw me a curveball, so I’m revisiting the plans with Unbelievable

I will of course be gigging in between, including heading to the inaugural Canberra Fringe for:

  • Unladylike a lewd and loud stand up comedy show with my comedy wife, Nicky Barry. Sat 22nd Nov 6pm and
  • Smells Like Kween Spirit the brand new singalong show with Nicky and I, featuring anthems from your favourite rock chicks! Sat 22nd Nov 9.30pm

I also day job!

I’ve been working at Let Me Be Frank, coordinating repair programs for local government. Since handing the reigns to incredible community volunteers in Stonnington and Glen Eira, I’ve been working with Frankston City Council. These events not only support my passion for waste reduction and the circular economy, but they are wonderful community events that bring people together from all walks of life. I love the events!

At Parliament of Victoria as part of David Ettershank MP‘s team we’ve been doing great things, including supporting Victoria’s Treaty. This is an important and meaningful step towards reconciliation.

We’ve also been continuing our Better Buses campaign and working with the No Sunbury Waste Incinerator Group, amongst many other things. Campaigns that also align with my values and make me feel good to support them.

Yes – I am very busy!

I also have my two wonderful offspring, my two doggies, my cat, my hen, my partner, my garden, a pile of books to read, my big family, my friends… Life is full, but this seems to be the way I like it. I am trying to schedule in quiet reflection time. I appreciate my dogs for ensuring I always go for at least one walk a day!

TTFN

Thanks for reading to the end. I hope to see you soon.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Melbourne Fringe 2025 pt1

My new solo show, Unbelievable, launches for Melbourne Fringe 2025

I frequently get asked how much of my material is true. And the answer is – All of it! I may change the end to include a witty punchline, but the content is all (at least based on) truth. This show is jam packed with funny, quirky, interesting, and sad stories. And they’re all true!

Here’s a bunch of shows I plan to see (and no doubt there will be more!)

I’ll also be frequenting Club Fringe at Trade’s all.
See you around!
x

May 2025

This is supposed to be the April nooze, but today is May. So this is kinda Autumn (in the Southern hemisphere) nooze!

Before I get into anything else I want to acknowledge that the big wide world is a scary place at the moment and it’s really hard to be in it and not feel overwhelmed and worried. I hope that you have a bubble that you can feel safe in. If not, feel free to reply and I can share resources I am aware of. Please also feel free to share resources with me that I can share with others. I know that many of you, like me, want to make the world a better place and fight injustice. We can’t do that if we’re burnt out, overwhelmed, and hiding under the duvet. So try to keep on top of self care (full disclosure – I’m not good at this!). And remember:

Come and be joyful with me and my neighbours!

The second instalment of Queer Cabaret Merri-bek is happening on 16th May and it’s going to be joyful, anarchic and absolutely an act of resistance and defiance in the face of rising right wing sentiment.

Huge thanks to Arts Merri-bek for supporting this event with a grant through the 2024-2025 Flourish Arts Program.

I haven’t got many other gigs lined up, due to juggling a few other things, so follow me on Instagram to keep up to date on those as they come in.

And if repair is your thing, I’m working with local government to coordinate a repair cafe in Carnegie on 10th May and one in Malvern on 31st May.

Stay awesome.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Just a quickie

Oops, looks like maybe I missed March! Here’s a lowdown:

  • Adelaide Fringe was fun – as always
  • Newcastle Fringe was a hoot and so many people showed up and sang with us at Love-aoke- PURE JOY!
  • Unladylike for Castlemaine Fringe sold out and the audience were simply lovely!
  • Melbourne International Comedy Festival is well underway! I’ve done a couple of spots and have a show with Nicky Barry 18th and 19th April (see below)
  • I was anaemic, but thanks to the wonders of modern medicine, I am now fully dosed up with good things and hopefully can return to my usual mode of non-stop action!

What’s Next?

This Fri (11th April) is the first of two Queer Cabaret shows for Merri-bek. This project is supported by Arts Merri-bek through the 2024-2025 Flourish Arts Grant Program.

18th and 19th April Nicky Barry and I are up to our usual antics with UnLadylike for comedy festival.

April 20th is 420 In the Park and I’ll be hosting and joined by Biro and DJ ShiKung, for a peaceful picnic celebrating all things cannabis: its growing use as a life changing medicine, industrial applications, and of course recreational use!

Follow me on the socials.

Hope to see you soon at a gig or just around!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

Nooze February 2025

I’ve heard a few people lately explain that they can’t believe it’s nearly March *already*! For me, I can’t believe it’s *only* February! This year already seems so full and busy.

On top of gigs, renovating my kitchen, farewelling one of our cats, and general mumming and running a house, I started a new ‘day job’, with the Legalise Cannabis Victoria party. I’m their new Community Campaigns Coordinator. Some of you may know that I’ve done some work with them with my creative hat on, hosting events. When I saw this job come up (and I was in need of a regular source of income!) I jumped at the chance. Along with their primary purpose of getting cannabis legalised, they advocate for reform in many other areas and I feel proud to work with such a great and passionate team.

You can check out their great work – and consider volunteering if you’re able – here.

Love-aoke was a hit

Love-aoke launched at The Motley Buahaus for a special Valentine’s show. We had a hoot! Thanks to my rather ancient (by the standards of modern consumption!) telly, we had a bit of a technical glitch at the start, but we soon got our groove and the very understanding and patient audience brought the energy!

Love-aoke will be touring to Newcastle (NSW, not UK) in March.
BOOK HERE!

I’ve slipped straight into what’s coming up. If you want to know more about what has already been, feel free to follow me on IG @thereallucybest
I also have @Queer_Cabaret for the Queer Cabaret shows I produce (and they’re coming up in April and May) and @LuNi_oke for all the singalong shows with Nicky Barry (@Barrymeplease)!

March appearances!

3rd March I’ll be on the line up for Adore Handel’s Pot Pourri
This unforgettable variety soirée promises an enchanting night brimming with burlesque, cabaret, comedy and drag performances by a stellar lineup of eclectic artists. Hosted by the ever-scandalous Adore Händel!

6th March I’m heading to Ballarat for the very lovely Good Will Comedy
Goodwill Comedy Club is a feel-good comedy night, with no mean-spirited crowd work. Highlighting diverse voices, and presenting newcomers and seasoned comedians alike.
Hosted by the wonderful Neptune Henrikson.
You can even dress up to win the coveted ‘Best Dressed’ Award, and two free tickets to the next show. Theme: Falling Leaves

13th-16th March Nicky Barry and I will be heading to Adelaide to launch a new show – Unladylike. Keep an eye out on my socials for links. And if you’re in Adelaide I look forward to seeing you there!

The weekend after that is Love-aoke at Newcastle Fringe.

We get back to Melbourne for Melbourne International Comedy Festival. You can catch me late and live at The Exford, as well as probably some other spots!

Unladylike will hit the road and head to Castlemaine Fringe on 29th March, with a line up of a few of our unladylike buddies!
(We’re also wrapping up Comedy Festival on 18th and 19th April, but I’ll share links and deets for April in March!, because that’s probably enough of an update for today!)

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
X

Jan 2025 eNooze

Greetings from Perth!

When I was a kid I had a beaded purse with a black swan on it that came from Perth. I don’t know where I got it. Maybe I came through the airport once. But I THINK this is my first time in Western Australia.

Once again I am struck by how huge this country is. I’m also reminded that, although it is one country, each state is so different. Perth feels like a different country to Melbourne, which is kinda lovely, cos I’m having a working holiday.

I came to check out Perth Fringe World and coincided it to be here to support my friend, Becky Steepe, whose new (and first) solo show, Cancer Card, has started a tour here.   Becky’s show is going great and she’s had some excellent reviews, including a 4 star one. YAY!

I competed in Perth’s famous Gong show on Thursday night. I didn’t get gonged and I didn’t even get a yellow paddle (which was how the audience voted for people to get gonged)! I was one of several finalists and the winners were picked by audience noise. I didn’t win any cash, but was pretty happy with the outcome. You can check it out here – me awkward pre-show in the green room, and then my actual set at around 45mins and 35 seconds!

Last night I took part in Art Shank – like Shark Tank, but for Art W@nk! It was so much fun and I loved connecting with some other creatives, who love a bit of chaos! Ooh, and I won some sweet, sweet cash for my pitch – Dissociating: An interactive, therapeutic, theatrical experience. It’s a long story but it involved jelly in a paddling pool!

Fringe World!

I don’t think any of my subscribers are in WA, but just in case – here’s a few of recommendations (click on them for more info):

Oops – I forgot December

Um. Sorry about that. The Christmas show went well. I neglected to get anyone to take photos, so you’ll just have to take my word for it!

And the festive season was fun, despite several pre Christmas hiccups!

I hope to resurrect Disgraceful Christmas for a UK audience this Christmas!

Up Next:

  • 9th Feb I’ll be hosting a Queer Comedy show at Victoria’s Pride at lunchtime (12.15pm!) as part of Midsumma
  • Then I’ll be going to Jack Brady’s Erasing Mamhood (also part of Midsumma). Jack’s keen for more bums on seats, so come check it out with me! Jack says it’s going to be raw and real (and I’m sure it will also be funny and entertaining!)
  • 12th Feb I’ll be back at Comedy Roulette
  • 14th Feb aka Valentine’s day! Nicky Barry and I are launching our brand new singalong show Love-aoke! It will be the usual madness and joy, as we bring people together to sing songs about love, lost, unrequited, passionate etc. Something for everyone! Bring a date or three (or none – you do you!)

I also got a new and very exciting day job, but I think I’ll tell you about that next time! That’ll probably do for Nooze for now, I’ve got Fringe World shows to catch!

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
X

November 2024 Nooze

Putting the silly in the silly season!

Hello! How are you my lovelies? Welcome to my November Nooze. The sun has been shining here in Melbourne and we’ve had some rain. My garden is like a jungle (not a euphemism!).

Since I last noozed I had a lightning trip to London for my big brother’s wedding and I got to visit my little brother on the set of Big Brother UK, which he hosts (we have good hosting genes, what can I say?!). So that was fun! I was only in London for 4 nights, which is bonkers but it was worth it. I crammed so much into my time and (thanks to the wedding) managed to see most of the people I usually take 2-3 weeks to see. The rest of you – I’ll be back next year to squeeze you!

Since getting back I’ve been working on my Disgraceful Christmas show! It’s a very silly show, about finding your own traditions and ways to celebrate. It will be at The Butterfly Club on 13th and 14th Dec and at PiP Theatre, as part of The Toucan Club Cabaret Festival, in Milton, Brisvegas on 20th and 21st Dec. I hope to see you there and if you can’t make it please send your friends and loved ones!

The brilliant Lauren Bok joined me at a rehearsal recently, to give feedback and help with the show. Turns out Lauren loves Christmas AND she loves the show! She also helped me enormously with the physicality of the show. It’s going to be fun!
You should catch Boklesque as part of Midsumma in Jan, cos it’s an absolute hoot and also very clever and sexy!

Before my Christmas show, you can catch me on Tues 3rd December at the Moulin Beige Christmas Show. I love Moulin Beige and I’m always honoured to be on the line up. It’s the most glorious celebration of avant garde cabaret, absurdity, and joy!

Then I’ll be making my first appearance at Goff’s Comedy on 4th December.

I’ll be back hosting Queer Cabaret on Jan 10th and I’ve (as always) got a wonderful line up for you, so start 2025 off right and come along to The Motley Bauhaus to see:

  • Drag from Naarm based Mistress of The Dark, Marilyn Costello. Marilyn’s here for all your gothic performing needs.
  • Stand up from my dear friend and fellow bicon Michele da Costa.
  • Drag from your fave ethnically ambiguous starlet, Mischa En Scene.
  • And storytelling from the incredible power house that is Skye Cusack.

Book for Queer Cabaret here

That’s all for now.
Stay well. Stay hydrated.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

October 2024 Nooze

Oops. Sorry – I missed September!
But I did have a lovely holiday in Vietnam with my youngest offspring! Many of you know that they were very unwell this time last year, which eventually led to them spending almost two months in hospital at the beginning of this year. So this time away together is more special that you can imagine!

London bound!

I got back to Melbourne to the somewhat surreal news that I’m heading back overseas for a very brief visit, because my big brother is getting married. I’m only there for four nights and, as well as the wedding, I’m going to visit my little brother on the set of BBUK, for eviction night (he’s the presenter on the right of the below pic)! If you’re one of my UK based friends and think you might be able to get to London for a coffee, meal, or pint let me know. My window of non family events is very small, so I haven’t really told anyone but of course, if we can meet up that would be lovely!

Upcoming shows and gigs

When I get back I’m excited to perform at the Centre for Australian Comedic Action (CACA) Inc’s For Rent! CACA is a collective of comedians aiming to bring about a community of comedic practice for those who want to practice comedic action.

Joining me on the line up is:
– Lauren Edwards – Lauren is a fast-rising star of the Melbourne comedy scene; no mean feat, considering she’s 40 and can’t run. Originally a musical comedy kid, Lauren has built a name for herself for her pithy observations and cracking social commentary, dressed up with a heap of millennial charm. Lauren has performed all over Australia and has appeared on The Sunday Roast and Opening Gala for Brisbane Comedy Festival, as well as guest appearances on podcasts such as I’m The Worst, Confessions, and A Rational Fear. 
– Nadun Hetti – Nadun is a RAW State Finalist who is a first-generation immigrant.  Drawing from his experience as an immigrant and someone who has seen the impact of housing struggles firsthand.   With gigs at Comedy Untamed, Grub, Footscray, and Voltaire, he blends personal stories and sharp humour to tackle the absurdity of trying to keep a roof over your head. 
– Sarah Bartolo – Sarah is an actor, writer, comedian and singer based in Naarm. Sarah has a knack for political satire and sketch comedy creating well-loved characters like wellness grifter Venus GirlBoss Moon and is currently touring around Australia with her incredibly relatable and hilarious stand-up. She has performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and at Carnegie Hall in New York. She enjoys fresh pasta, Mediterranean summers and being cute in this capitalist dystopian hellscape. 
– Adore Handel (Luke Belle) – Luke fell in love with the drama and extravagance of opera, which led to a classical singing focus in a Bachelor of Music at Monash University, 2013. Stylishly suggestive, Luke’s creation of Adore Handel is a real housewife of the 18th century telling tales of rubbing shoulders with Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi.  Opera repertoire in a Marie Antoinette-package: Mozart, Handel, G&S (Gilbert & Sullivan) and more.  Adore will regale us in a song about the high drama of trying to stay housed.  
– Nicole Smith – Nicole Smith is our high-powered pocket rocket.  She is a wheelchair user, writer, performer and disability advocate living on Naarm. She has been studying improvisation for four years and has taken scripted theatre classes. Nicole works for an accessible housing organisation and facilitates a writing course through Writers Victoria. 
– David Fowles – David is our firebrand wordsmith in true John Clarke style.  He launched his debut comedy show in 2022, hurtling between humour and the deadly serious, “Once More With Failing” is the true story of how violence affected David’s life from childhood and he is a powerful comedic storyteller. David is an actor, writer, stand-up comedian and singer of over thirty years, in Queensland and Victoria. 
– Justine Sless – Justine Sless is a Melbourne-based comedian, writer, humour academic and community worker. She performs, teaches, produces and writes stand-up comedy, has toured nationally and internationally, and was the former creative director of Melbourne Jewish Comedy Festival.  Her master’s in creative writing thesis became a book “Mistress of Mirth’s Comedy Tour” highlighted issues for women comedians on the comedy circuit. 

BOOK HERE!

NewKind Conference

Then I’ll be taking my camper trailer and my puppy for some Rest, Repair, and Redesign at the Newkind Conference.

Newkind is a festival-style social change conference that creates a space for people to come together to celebrate our humanity and inspire positive social action. It’s 4 days of discussion panels, workshops, arts, and entertainment with meals included while camping under the stars.

Newkind 2024 Saturday 2nd – Tuesday 5th of November on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Redbank, Victoria.

Disgraceful Christmas!

After that rehearsals begin for my upcoming Christmas show! It’s going to be a hoot! There’s inflatable trees, and I hope to be roller skating for some of it (pending A LOT of practice!)! There will also be singing, acting and storytelling, sharing hilarious tales of Christmases past. It’s an entirely new and standalone show – you don’t need to have seen Disgraceful to enjoy it (but if you did I’d love for you to come to this, to make the fact that I wrote a whole new show even more worthwhile)!

That’s probably quite enough from me!

Hope to see you at a show or in London!
Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x

August 2024 Nooze

Hello! Looks like I managed to sneak in an August update.

Skip this next paragraph if you just want to know about shows ‘n’ stuff!

How are you? I hope you’re well. Those of you in the northern hemisphere will be farewelling your brat summer. I’m sorry for you, but also I’m so relieved that I will no longer be tortured by your summer holiday photos, while I’ve been miserable in Melbourne winter! It’s been a cold one. I get seasonal affective disorder (SAD), on top of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) and I also got flu recently. Add that to the general stress and work involved in being an adult, a mum, an artist who also has a demanding day job, world politics and wars destroying lives around the world, and living in late stage capitalism, and it’s been a TIME. I realise that many of those things won’t change just because spring arrives, but hopefully my ability to cope with them all will. I’m painfully aware of how lucky I am and I don’t want to come across as self-pitying, it’s more that I want to acknowledge that life can be challenging and there is so much to worry and feel sad about in the world, but those things aren’t everything, and it’s not helpful to let them consume you. So knowing that the bees are waking up, the flowers are blooming, I can go on long walks with my doggies, and spend time in the garden, helps and I’m grateful for that.

In other news

Queer Cabaret is back at Motley Bauhaus on 6th Sep! The last one was a crazy time, but it kind of revealed to me that I have a super power to keep going! And the audience’s love and enjoyment of it all also reminded me that these nights are so much flippin’ fun! If you’ve been before then come back, and if you haven’t been then you really, really should!

Meet the cast!

BOOK HERE!

Other gigs

Here’s a quick low down of some other upcoming gigs and links for more info:
– 10th Sep Jambo Comedy
– 19th Sep I’ll be the monologer for Improv Pit
– 20th Sep I’ll be back at Captain Melville’s

Environmental work

Through my work at Let Me Be Frank, I’m busy coordinating repair events for some Melbourne Councils. Check out Stonnington and Glen Eira‘s programs. It’s so great that Councils are investing in supporting their communities to adopt more circularity this way. And it’s great to see that Bayside has continued to build their repair events since we wrapped up the Roving Repair Program together.

I’m also going to be on a panel at the upcoming Zero Waste Festival. Eco-Networking Forum Turning Ideas into Impact is where we will help people (like you!) to develop your programs, plans, and actions to make the world a better and waste free place. I hope to see you there. (also – I’m excited to be on the stage at Fed Square, I’ve been in the audience so many times!)

More news coming in September, including a special announcement (ooh!).

Thanks for reading to the end.
Love you.
Bye.
x

July 2024 eNooze

Hello!
I hope all is well in your world. I had a fabulous time in Hobart for the Festival of Voices and I’ll share some official pics when I have them.

This is just a quickie to let you know about some upcoming gigs and a Flash Sale for Queer Cabaret, which is this Saturday at The Motley Bauhaus. The sale ends 2pm on Thurs 11th July, so get in quick for 50% off tickets!

Yes – I made a silly video to get attention for this!

This Friday (12th July) I’m on the line up at Captain Melville Comedy. It’s a cute bluestone pub in Melbourne and it’s very easy to get to on Public Transport. Hope to see you there!

With my comedy wife!

Next week I’ll be at Cherry Bomb Comedy.

What a great line up!

Then on 28th July I’ll be performing again with Maison Burlesque as part of their Cherry Poppers Showcase. I’m on the matinee show, but you should come to both! It’s a great way to watch a huge variety of performers and performance styles, within the burlesque banner! Always a great event.

That’s all for now.

Stay warm. Stay hydrated. Be kind.

Thank you.
Love you.
Bye.
x