Aunty Donna's Michelle Brasier heads back to the Fringe
Hot on the heels of last year's smash hit Average Bear, Reform is the second stand-up show from Michelle Brasier (Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House Of Fun), telling the unbelievably true story how she became the emergency contact for a stranger who tried to scam her. Already receiving multiple 5-star reviews and critical acclaim in Melbourne, Reform is a cautionary tale laced with friendship, radical empathy, redemption, kindness and understanding over a theatrical hour of storytelling and original music.
We asked Michelle to tell us more about Reform, her scammer and who would play him in a film.
Can you give us some tips on how to spot a scammer online? What are the warning signs?
I am so clearly the wrong person to ask this, but I think you should only buy things from places that accept PayPal and never buy anything from a man holding a fish in his profile picture. These are my mistakes; may you learn from them. I certainly haven't.
If Reform was turned into a romcom, who would play you and who would play the scammer?
Reform is so close to being a romcom it's disgusting. I would play myself but if my schedule didn't allow it probably Gal Gadot - just because we look exactly the same. The scammer - probably like Adam Sandler or Andy Samberg. Some lovable goof that NOBODY COULD BLAME ANYONE FOR BEING TRICKED BY.
Have there been any audience responses you've not expected? Any moments where the audience's laughter took you by surprise?
The audience are so vocal throughout the show. People are constantly screaming "NO!" and "MICHELLE!" There are a lot of laughs with me and at me.
You're now your scammer's emergency contact - has he used this at all, and if so, what for?
This is a bit of a spoiler for the show!
You say you try to see the best in people even though they are 'probably mostly shit'. What's the best thing about YOU, Michelle Brasier?
I can play the trombone. Not well but I can play it. Honestly, that I can always see the best in people - which is what got me into this mess in the first place.
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