Jan Maree - comedy Festival Review

Jan Maree - comedy Festival Review

Jan Maree - Hairy Today, Gone Tomorrow

After winning last year's Fred Award, Jan Maree had the world as her oyster.

Which is probably a good thing given this half-caste Kiwi / Croatian lady had a sudden attack of the "Who am I?" and "Where am I from?" syndrome.

To be honest, a voyage of self-discovery is always a worry for a show - it's prone to self obsessed sentimentality rather than sharp insights; thankfully, Jan Maree is the complete opposite of what you'd expect from one of these trips in the vein of Who Do You Think You Are?

Caustically funny, raucously rude and yet surprisingly touching at the end, this journey is one you really do want to take.

From the quest to get a good waxing because of her hairy Croatian roots, to panic brought on by a teacher friend moving to Thailand, Jan gives this occasionally demented travelogue a freshness and live-wire feel that's eminently watchable.

Energetic and amusing, Jan has a penchant for story telling and a predilection for situations which bring out the bizarre which translates very well on stage. With an eye for a very funny one line quip here and there, she's also a great performer.

With a surprisingly moving ending as well as Jan celebrates her core Maree-ness, I left this show in a reflective mood, having been amused and also moved to thought.

There's something about this show that many of us will recognise deep within ourselves - a need later in life to understand our roots, to embrace our heritage and to celebrate what we've become (and why).

But it never becomes mawkish in Maree's hands - sure, it's a personal and moving trip, a confessional piece dripping with history and poignancy.

However, Hairy Today, Gone Tomorrow is never short of side-splittingly asides, punchlines or perfectly delivered moments as you are welcomed in on the journey - and for that reason, you should make sure you sign up to enjoy the ride.