"She gets away with it because she's so sweet".
This was the immediate verbal response of one of the girls sitting next to me once the lights came back up following the end of Nina Oyama's hilarious "Nina Oyama Is Doing Me Right Now".
Repping as a Nominee for Best Newcomer at the 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Oyama is endearing, cheeky and shockingly frank. She talks of body image, casual racism, relationships and ejaculation all with an ease, a giggle and a smile. This viral Twitter...er (Tweeter? I'll leave that there because "Twitter-er" is way more fun to say), is fearless and moves at a non-stop energetic pace that never drops or lulls.
I remember reading a quote from Adam Carolla that read: “The reason why you know more funny dudes than funny chicks is that dudes are funnier than chicks". The "woman aren't funny" debate is in this instance, blown to fragments when you witness Nina Oyama's natural comedic flair. The entire audience was in stitches with grins from ear to ear for the entire 50 minutes.
The use of a series of slides and videos on a TV screen are used to great effect, adding to the fast paced and exciting nature of the show. Oyama is able to look back at some of her more controversial moments in the media, with a light heart and sharp wit. Her daring nature has landed her in plenty of hot water, but she is well and truely seeing the funny side of it now, and so will you.
Content warning: Oyama loves to talk about sex, and in very forward ways. If that's not you're thing, I can almost guarantee you will still find this show hilarious. Because, as the lovely girl next to me in the audience put it: "She gets away with it, because she's so sweet".
Nina Oyama: Is Doing Me Right Now is showing at the Comedy Republic as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival until April 16. Tickets can be purchased here.