Bursting onto the stage with effervescent energy and a sparkling stage presence, Robyn Reynolds’ Melbourne Fringe Festival show, What Doesn’t Kill You is a witty and unexpectedly moving hour.
The British ex-pat instantly wins over the audience with her crowd banter, with her gentle ribbing of the front row being incredibly good natured and never awkward or mean spirited and is never overused. Reynolds’ friendly persona shone through right away and got the audience on her side from the word go.
While the show delves into some deeply personal stories involving Reynolds’ upbringing, her troubled relationship with her parents, the struggles she faced after moving to Sydney as a young woman and her serious health issues over the years, Reynolds does so in such a sunny and upbeat way that the show never gets maudlin or too serious.
A trio of nifty songs (with original music by Nick Harriott) punctuate the narrative, giving Reynolds a chance to show off her amazing singing voice. Explaining her need to be a people pleaser, Reynolds’ humour is very relatable and she covers a lot of ground in a fast-paced hour of comedy that confirms Reynolds as one of the warmest and most likeable comedians on the comedy scene at the minute.
Reynolds’ rapid-fire delivery is a highlight of this award-winning show, and it’s genuinely impressive how she is able to keep up such high energy levels from start to finish.
What Doesn’t Kill You is a fantastic show that balances the line between comedy and tragedy perfectly, cementing Reynolds as an exceptional performer and leaving the audience with a lot to take away from this unexpectedly life-affirming hour of comedy.
4/5 STARS
Playing at the Fringe Hub: Trades Hall – Archive Room until Sunday October 19. More information and tickets via melbournefringe.com.au
WINNER – ‘New Comedy Work’ at Melbourne Fringe 2024
NOMINEE – ‘Best Newcomer’ at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025
TINSEL and TAP SHOES 