Words: Alex Grunberg

Mary O’Connell enters her small stage with a burst of high energy, indulging in the pursuits of money and success, before reeling us right in to her set focused on capitalism woes. The workplace is absurd: how many pdfs can one send and receive and still take the concept of “work” seriously? In a society that refuses you the complexity to be silly, Mary O’Connell allows herself to be just that. She pokes fun and despairs at the exhaustion of existing in a capitalist economy.

A very funny storyteller who approaches comedy with a fearless persona, O’Connell also brings a touching nuance to her show by focusing on the tragedy of her ambition – the inability to find joy when you are so focused on success. The inability to succeed when the goal posts keep moving and failure seems to be chasing you. She is always hyper aware of the ridiculousness of her desire to succeed in a system that is dying, that is designed to kill your joy. Which makes even the pursuit of comedy, a pursuit of joy, a kind of revolutionary act in itself. 

O’Connell has created a relevant and relatable set, not just for compulsive shoppers and discouraged entrepreneurs, but anyone looking for a little levity in the grind. 

Mary O’Connell: Money Princess
Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Three
18.00
16-27 Aug