Cabaret Festival

Cabaret Festival Review: Michelle Brasier – Average Bear

A heartfelt, funny and life-affirming account of one millennial’s life

A heartfelt, funny and life-affirming account of one millennial’s life
4

Presented by: Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Michelle Brasier
Reviewed: 8 June 2025

What would you do if you found out you had less time on this planet, than ‘the average bear’? This profound, yet abstract question, although being the premise of Michelle Brasier’s sold-out off-Broadway show doesn’t really sink in until the second half and could well take audiences by surprise.

Brasier is a known, successful, Australian comedian with multiple awards, appearances and writing credits for Aunty Donna, as well as a slew of other TV and film credits. But it is her 2024 memoir My Brother’s Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag that is most connected with this particular show. 

Immensely funny, tapping into the joys and worries of the millennial woman, Brasier has a no-holds-barred attitude to her content. Whether she is singing about after-hours activities in the shed behind her school in Wagga Wagga (complete with audience sing-a-long), or the fragility of life and family relationships there is always an edge of defiance – she dares the audience to laugh with her rather than be offended or emotional. Combine this with some excellent singing and a trio of strings and guitar (led by partner, Tim Lancaster), this is an unexpectedly moving delight.

Mostly autobiographical, the Average Bear is one part of Brasier’s character, setting up a framework to emphasise that hibernation from life is no way to live. The structure of the piece is excellent and the pace is frenetic, until it isn’t… when suddenly tears spring from your eyes and you choke up amidst a giggle, realising the heart-breaking reality of Brasier’s story. Under the direction of Gillian Cosgriff (another Cabaret star), there is a lot of love and humour that bubbles and explodes across the stage.

What naively this reviewer thought would be a fun night at the Festival, turned into something more profound and meaningful that will linger for a while to come. The combination of comedy and heartache is beautifully balanced, and while no further performances are available for this season, hopefully there will be more opportunities in future and this spring will come again.

Reviewed by Hayley Horton

Photo credit: Claudio Raschella 

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: ended

More News

To Top