Aunty Donna: Glenridge Secondary College

Sketch comedy trio Aunty Donna, comprising Broden Kelly, Mark Bonanno and Zachary Ruane, are back again for the 2018 Melbourne International Comedy Festival with their new show, Glennridge Secondary College, tackling the highs and lows of high school in their typically absurdist, vaudevillian and left-of-centre style of comedy.

Since forming in 2011, Aunty Donna have an established and comfortable stage presence. There remains a frenetic energy to the show as well as a self awareness that allows them to roll with the audience as their natural chemistry and charisma break through even as some of their sketches break down.

While fans may find some overlap in already published material, including a couple of songs taken from their new album, Aunty Donna: The Album, for the most part the secondary school setting gives the show a structure and through-line that works to great effect, producing a cohesive series of sketches all stemming from the one central conceit rather than a disparate collection of idiosyncratic jokes cobbled together. Consequently, there is a flow and a build up that many other sketch shows lack and yet there remains that constant sense of surprise. One can never predict where a joke will go or what weird and wonderful rabbit hole you will be taken down and that continues to be one of Aunty Donna’s greatest strengths.

Fans of the trios’ numerous web series, along with newcomers, will find a whole lot to like in a show that is equal parts surreal sketch comedy and a deeply relatable critique of teenagers, teachers and disappointing school talent shows. It is a difficult balancing act yet one they walk with ease. For every ridiculous and off-the-wall joke about Olympic-level trampolining, there is a spot-on indictment of high school culture and the characters who fill that world.

Aunty Donna: Glenridge Secondary College
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018
auntydonna.com
comedyfestival.com.au/2018/shows/aunty-donna