Since her breakthrough performance at the 2001 RAW Comedy Festival, comedian Geraldine Hickey has gone from strength-to-strength, appearing on radio and television, such as regular appearances on Have You Been Paying Attention, as well as continuing to delight audiences with her cracking stand-up shows. 

Her new show, Meander, has its Adelaide premiere at this year’s Fringe Festival. 

As the title implies, Hickey loves a meander, whether physical or metaphysical. And any decent stand-up set worth its weight is often just that: a meander from one seemingly random idea to the next. The opener of this show is a side-splitting excoriation of that particular form of torture known as “the sound check” which somehow then moves into an equally hilarious interrogation of garlic bread, which then moves to…well…you get the idea. 

Much of the material in Meander involves her love of walking, which, combined with her self-confessed terrible sense of direction, makes for plenty of laughs (and some knowing nods from the similarly navigationally challenged in the audience!). A known animal lover, particularly of birds (“of both kinds”), Hickey tells tales of creatures fluffy, such as the Launceston macaques, and not-so-fluffy, such as venomous snakes. Not all of the encounters are voluntary on her part, but you will find no spoilers here! 

Hickey’s recent appearance on I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here, makes for some great material, especially in re see above, but she also allows time at the end of her set for questions about the show. As a consummate comedian, she knows how to interact with audiences in a way which is warm, respectful, but also sharply witty.  

Geraldine Hickey is a total delight, able to deliver a tightly written set in a way which comes across like your best mate rambling on at you after a few too many Campari sodas, and making you pee your pants. It’s no wonder this show is nearly entirely sold out, so don’t dilly-dally if you want tickets!