Alice Fraser – Mythos

Alice Fraser begins her 2019 MICF offering by chatting to her crowd as they enter the venue. She greets newcomers and old mates alike, and divulges that she’s suffering, of all things, from a spider bite. While the combination injury and medication has left Fraser a little woozy tonight, it doesn’t stop the stand-up from delivering a high energy rendition of her new show, Mythos.

While the title may lead punters to assume the show will offer allusions to fables and stories of old, Fraser is quick to shut down that expectation. Poignant and cerebral as ever, the comic takes the definition of 'mythos' and runs with it, brilliantly mining the word for new meaning while completely staying within the confines of its definition. Fraser basically found a loophole in comedy – it’s no surprise she used to be a lawyer.

Read More: Alice Fraser Knows What She Doesn't Find Funny, Including 'The Office' & 'Mr Bean' 

Mythos is a personal collection of tales and loves from the comedian's own life, and a 101 in blending comedic styles. Fraser has become a mainstay in comedic circles worldwide for her practised melding of intellectual and throwaway subject matter, and tonight shows off just why she’s the master. Hopping seamlessly from the nature of goodness to an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Fast And Furious franchise, the stand-up treats every moment of Mythos with care and intention, making sure every word counts.

While the arachnid-based circumstances cause Fraser to stumble a number of times throughout the performance, the comedian ploughs on like the powerhouse that she is. Unexpectedly dropping some very black humour about the Catholic Church receives a few gasps and moans from tonight’s punters, but Fraser is fantastically unapologetic in her delivery. She does what she wants to do on stage, and it’s in this resolve that audiences see the unequivocal prowess of a great Fraser performance.