Words: Caitlin Finnerty

4 Stars

Ashley Gavin’s My Therapist is Dying is a raw, hilarious, and emotionally charged journey through the life and mind of a comedian who was not just born to be on stage; she was made for it, shaped by every trial and tragedy she’s faced.

From the moment she steps onto the stage, it’s clear that Gavin has a lot to share with us. The audience, full of “thirsty lesbians who clearly spend too much time on the internet”, is immediately drawn in by her frankness. Gavin pokes fun at everything from Brits and Americans to the audience for being too soft, all while keeping us in stitches with her brutal honesty.

Her comedy isn’t just about the laughs, though. Gavin delves into the heavy stuff too. She speaks candidly about her dad, who passed away from cancer when she was just 11. The image of her and her sister dressed in kimonos at his funeral is both tragic and absurdly funny in Gavin’s retelling. She also opens up about her therapist, Frank, who has been a constant in her life for 28 years and is now dying of cancer. The gravity of this loss is palpable, yet she still manages to find humour in the situation, recounting how she played him an episode of her podcast, We’re Having Gay Sex, to which he responded, “It’s not for me, but it’s for someone.”

In the end, Gavin reminds us that this is not a comedy, not a tragedy, but a blend of the two. It’s a dramedy that is not just for someone; it’s for everyone who has ever struggled, loved too much, or needed to laugh through pain.

Ashley Gavin: My Therapist is Dying
Pleasance Courtyard, Upstairs
18:50
Aug 14-25