Review: That's Life!

**Picture**: *That’s Life!* at Tannins Brew (image credit: *Creative Futures Photography*)

Rebel Lyons proves that sometimes ‘truth’ can be funnier than fiction. Inspired by the popularity of the supermarket ‘fashion, beauty, health, pets, cooking, money-saving advice, family and community’ magazine,’ Lyons and friends bravely delve in to the world of the That’s Life! magazine. So be prepared for a rollercoaster run through everything from recipe tips and household tricks, through to puzzles and ‘true life stories’ (aka clickbait headlines).

Introducing the show, Lyons noted that the plan had originally been for That’s Life! (the show) to be a fully improvised event. However, the performers realised that the magazines offered so much great comedy material that full improv wasn’t really needed (‘you think you can’t write this s***—but they did’).

There was much to enjoy in the premiere performance of That’s Life! The show is performed by an enthusiastic trio (Lyons is joined by Jamey Birtles and Liv Brand), has a tight structure, touches on distinct aspects of the magazine (even to the extent of reading out some distinctly unfunny ‘Dad’ jokes), includes audience participation, and concludes with an amusing That’s Life! song. And my personal highpoints had to be the three witches’ horoscope conjuring, the headline mimes, the ‘gentle touches’ tips and tricks, and the song finale.

One of the many great things about Anywhere Festival is that it gives performers the opportunity to test out new material and ideas. I can see that That’s Life! would work well as part of a double or triple bill (alongside other acts). But I suggest that, before they take it to Edinburgh Fringe, they might like to add in one or two more songs, see if the budget can fund the projection of the actual That’s Life! pages (and perhaps better microphones), and that they consider getting some of the audience to attempt the mimes (a great idea to have us guessing the actual headlines. I loved the Liv Brand improvised ‘Alice in Wonderland syndrome’… yes, that was from a real That’s Life! headline, apparently).

My guess is that sales of That’s Life! may just increase as the result of this show. Lots of comedians are obviously finding it to be a major source of new material—and audiences might just be inspired to pick up a little light entertainment too. And I look forward to seeing how the comedy develops, as there is certainly a lot of material available for a longer That’s Life! show.

Catherine Lawrence

**Picture**: *That’s Life!* (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)

Audience information: The May 2024 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festival program included only two performances of That’s Life! (22nd and 23rd May 2024) at Tannins Brew, 23 Doherty Street
Brendale. Tickets $20. 45minutes. All ages (artist recommendation 15+).

The reviewer attended the 22 May 2024 premiere.

Geoff Lawrence