Comedy Review - Stephanie Broadbridge: Breaking the Musical
Images courtesy of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Stephanie Broadbridge claws the “Spraygun” issue back into relevance in 2025 — long after the real “Spraygun” (if one ever existed) has ceased to matter. In keeping with the spirit of the show, this review will only be referring to Broadbridge’s character of “Spraygun” who of course bears no resemblance to a certain person who was a 2024 Paris Olympics athlete/ongoing national shame. For those out of the loop — stay home, this show isn’t for you. However those with a pulse and any form of screen in their home (TV/laptop/smartwatch/fridge/airfryer) are undoubtedly familiar with the antics of “Spraygun” during last year’s Olympics. “Spraygun” got her 15 minutes of infamy as a flash in the pan meme, and this show skewering her was originally slated for performance in August. The original version of the show quickly encountered legal issues as Australian copyright law was rudely used as a bludgeon to attempt to silence parody. This retooled version is undoubtedly funnier for its quasi-illicit nature — it’s filled with quippy references and audience participation elements relating to the lawsuit levelled at Broadbridge.
The tone of the show would surely feel mean spirited if the subject of its parody was any less litigious. As is though, Broadbridge successfully skewers “Spraygun” and a larger issue in white Aussie culture of appropriation and entitlement. To reinvent a show under threat of more legal suits and to find a through-line of relevance between a flash-in-the-pan meme and these issues of White Australian entitlement shows a true larrikin spirit that any real “Spraygun” lacks.
There were unfortunately certain technical issues which marred the performance, with the audio department struggling at times to correctly balance the multiple singers present on stage. This was a shame as the show was completely stacked with enjoyable performances from a range of Aussie comedians (who also just so happen to have their own shows this Comedy Festival). Despite the hiccups, the cast adapted well and performed with gusto. The music itself was enjoyable and the wide range of songs composed for it were generally good. The early “I Want” song performed by Broadbridge was a highlight and set the tone for the rest of the show. Lovers of musical comedy will be well rewarded but those less into that genre might want to give this a miss.
Breaking: The Musical is showing as part of the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. For tickets and more info, click here.