Living For The Now ~ Actually, Good ~ Cabaret Festival Review 2024

[Cabaret, Comedy - Australia] Actually, Good - Gillian Cosgriff Space Theatre Sun 9 June COVID is sometimes sardonically referred to as the gift that keeps on giving because of its far- reaching consequences. But it’s not all bad. Actually, Good is another work born during Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns when Gillian Cosgriff and partner amused themselves by asking each other to list their favourite things. They enjoyed it so much Cosgriff began asking her friends the same kinds of questions, and in this wonderfully engaging show, she asked us – her audience. So the audience contributes to the evolving script that fleshes out her show. In amongst this gentle and friendly audience interrogation she sings silly playful original songs that poke fun at herself and the various foibles of humanity. It’s a simple recipe that works a treat in her capable hands. Delightfully confident in improvising with whatever material comes from the audience she deftly weaves it into her comedic narrative with self-effacing wit and gracious charm. We learn about chaos drawers, early onset nostalgia and the trials and tribulations of a child wizard. And once our list of favourite things is complete she reminds us all that life is about now. Not yesterday, not next week – now. Live for the minute and focus on what you like is the message here. But as one of her own top ten likes reveals – hearing a good joke in a eulogy – it’s all about balance.  We need to laugh and cry, weep and sing, and try and appreciate the breadth and weirdness of humanity. Actually, Good is funny, thoroughly uplifting, and effortlessly entertaining! 4.5 stars Michael Coghlan This was the final perfomance of Actually, Good