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A gloriously unhinged introspection of mental health, lesbian break ups and doing what you have to do to get ahead in comedy, Jenna Suffern is a funny girl smiling through the pain.
Jenna’s had a really bad week. She’s been dumped, made redundant, and is trying to start a career in standup comedy. In the midst of a pretty significant menty-b she’s smooshed them altogether in a TMI, wretchedly amusing comedy show presented online and to a live audience in her living room, dedicated to her past relationships and reality TV.
Wild-eyed and wide-smiled, Suffern’s demeanour is that of a woman on the edge, complete with a ‘borrowed’ pink dildo and inner monologue. Crushed by the recent events of her life she’s managed to pull herself together just enough to make sure that when she falls apart, she does it on screen, complete with paid brand deals and sponsorships.
Direction by Courtney Ammenhauser creates an atmosphere of nervousness that rises and falls but never leaves. Suffern switches from cleaning up her messy inner-west-Sydney-vibes apartment to filming a sponsored ad for her TikTok platform, crashing on her couch to awkwardly addressing the audience with experimental comedy bits and an absolute banger of a song about disassociation through reality TV. Between movements, she pauses, unsure of which way to turn, and you feel the stress of that freeze and can’t help but root for her to find her feet.
Suffern sneaks in poignant commentary on the price comedians are expected to pay by way of trauma and pain in order to be funny, and gets real about the toll mental health issues can take on a person amid the steady flow of gallows humour and antidepressants.
Whether you’re feeling the full brunt of Suffern’s emotional rollercoaster or are just taken aback sometimes by random thoughts in your head, there’s something in her conversations with her inner self to strike a chord with any mental state.
Purchase your ticket to It’s Not Funny It’s Private here.
Shiraz | Wine Pairing
A big, bold red is key to burying the pain of job loss, break ups and any number of life’s difficulties. Consume with caution, particularly if on medication, of course.
My Pick: Greasy Fingers 2021 Shiraz, South Australia
If you’re anything like me, when life gets you down all you want is a glass of wine and a bit of comfort food. This Shiraz from SA is made just for these moments, designed to pair with the ultimate greasy options like burgers and wings. The ultimate indulgence, pour yourself a big glass and lick the oil off your fingers. You can pick yourself up tomorrow, today can just be for you.
It’s Not Funny It’s Private, bAKEHOUSE Theatre | Tasting Notes
| Aussie Season | 2 to 11 Sept 2023, The Vault, KXT on Broadway. Produced with bAKEHOUSE Theatre |
| Ticket $ | $30-45 |
| Writer | Jenna Suffern |
| Director | Courtney Ammenhauser |
| Theatre Type & Genre | One-woman show, comedy |
| See it if you like | Taylor Tomlinson’s Quarter Life Crisis |
| Wine Pairing | Shiraz |
| Criteria for Wine Pairing | bold and full-bodied |
Toasting Aussie Theatre 