Menopaws
Tanya Gyzi
TICKETS: Menopaws | Adelaide Fringe
Hot flushes, mood swings, and far too many dogs in the bed —
that’s the 45-minute rollercoaster you embark on with Adelaide comedian Tanya
Gyzi. A 50-year-old, divorced, single, Aussie-Greek “menopausal dog mum,” Gyzi
delivers a candid and chaotic journey through the realities of menopause — and
a few delightfully overshared stories along the way.
Through tales of her beloved (and former) dogs, her late
mother, her Italian ex-husband who took the Tupperware without the lids, Kate
Bush, Karen, and other colourful figures from her life, Gyzi creates moments
that are both intimate and, at times, deliciously awkward. Audience interaction
forms a key part of her act, though on this night, much of the crowd seemed
hesitant to jump in.
The night was unfortunately marred by technical issues right from the start, forcing Gyzi to improvise and adapt on the fly. She later acknowledged that several jokes — ones that usually land — didn’t quite hit the mark under the circumstances. Adding to the challenge was a loud event in the adjoining room, which made it difficult for audience members further back to fully engage with the show. Sitting closer to the front, I was fortunate to catch all the punchlines, though it was clear others struggled to hear. Attempts were made by the venue staff to assist, and it helped marginally.
Despite these hurdles, Gyzi’s comedic skill and experience
shone through. She handled the setbacks with professionalism and humour — even
filling extra time when she was unable to perform a planned musical number due
to the technical failures. The material itself was witty and relatable, though
the overall flow of the show felt a little uneven on this occasion.
It’s clear Tanya Gyzi is a capable and charismatic performer who simply had an off night — one that, under smoother conditions, could easily have been another Adelaide Fringe standout.
- Andrew Broadbent
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