Comedy review: Ruby Teys, Cherry Vinyl Coober Pedy’s Last Showgirl
★★★★
An absurd, hilarious, and at times darkly comedic exploration of the life of a small-town girl turned Surfers Paradise showgirl.
Photo credit: Dean Tirkot
Cherry Vinyl: Coober Pedy's Last Showgirl is a delightful, tongue-in-cheek romp that blends Australiana with silliness. Set in 1991, Cherry Vinyl is an unlikely heroine, a ditsy blonde ‘mole’ from the dusty outback of Coober Pedy who decides to hitchhike to Surfers Paradise in pursuit of the glamorous life.
Teys excels at embodying Cherry, the quintessential ‘bogan’, reminding audiences of beloved Aussie characters like Kath and Kim and the bridesmaids from Muriel’s Wedding. Cherry Vinyl is both clueless and endearing, and Teys taps into this contrast effortlessly. There’s something about Cherry’s innocence and naivety that pulls you in, making you root for her even as she stumbles through a wild and unpredictable journey (in giant platform heels).
Teys’ ability to stay locked in character is impressive, only occasionally breaking to acknowledge the audience. This is no small feat in a one-woman show where the pacing and energy must be maintained by a single performer. Her comedic timing is spot-on, and the show’s structure benefits from her knack for building up to a punchline with impeccable pacing. Each joke feels deliberate, and while Teys plays with dark humour, she balances it out with enough wit to ensure the audience stays engaged.
The show is also undeniably nostalgic. Teys references Australian figures from yesteryear (her love interest is a hilarious take on Kerry Packer) and she pulls us back to an era when life was far more simpler (no smartphones or selfies). This nostalgia is complemented by Teys’ over-the-top 90s-inspired look: a tan that screams too many hours in the solarium, big bleached blonde teased hair, and makeup caked on thicker than SPF 50 at the cricket on Boxing Day.
Not to forget her costumes – one of my favourites would have to be the giant shrimp tutu which she wears as part of her headline act at the exclusive gentleman’s club, ‘Legs, Legs, Legs, Lips, Lips, Lips’.
At times, Teys takes a bit too long to get back into character after a scene change. However, this is a minor hiccup in an otherwise well-executed performance. The audience’s enjoyment was palpable, and the show ran a bit longer than expected, but it was clear that no one wanted it to end.
Ruby Teys’ Cherry Vinyl: Coober Pedy's Last Showgirl is a riot of a comedy show. It’s fun, full of energy, and delivers sharp humour while paying homage to 90s Australia. With fantastic costumes, catchy songs, and an utterly loveable character, it’s a show that both entertains and elicits genuine laughs.
Ruby Teys, Cherry Vinyl: Coober Pedy’s Last Showgirl is performing live at the 2025 Melbourne International Comedy Festival until 20th of April.
Venue: The Greek – Apollo at 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.
For more details and tickets, click here