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Review: Dead to Me: A Comedy Ghost Tour through the Streets of Melbourne

Review by Michelle Drinnan


Meeting a medium sized group outside the Melbourne Town Hall, we are greeted by the charismatic and bubbly Matt Bell. Donning silent disco style headphones, we ready ourselves for a walking comedy stand up act. The premise follows Matt around a Melbourne city block as he recounts a truly horrendous and hilarious date retracing their movements from that fateful night. Matt keeps us in hysterics as he narrates the evening with clever quips quoted quickly. 

Feeling homage to Rhys Nicholson style of comedy, Matt conducted his tour with flying pace, both comedically and walking. He promised not to walk at hilariously dubbed ‘gay man pace’ however the group did struggle to keep up with how fast our tour guide marched. The concept of a stand-up act that literally tours to the venues of the story is incredibly unique and clever. Through visiting the venues, Matt managed to convey his story with depth and colour. As the group moved from one location to another, Matt's storytelling prowess became even more apparent.


This innovative approach not only showcased Matt's comedic talent but also highlighted his ability to adapt to unconventional formats. The tour offered a fresh perspective on stand-up comedy, blending humour with a sense of adventure and exploration. As the night progressed, the audience found themselves eagerly anticipating the next stop and the next punchline, fully captivated by Matt's charm and wit.


The story would have worked just as well on a traditional stage with photos of the venues. Realising this, I wonder if the tour could have been more interactive including Matt continuing the tour whilst on the walk from venue to venue, as well as physically at the venues. Could the headphone speakers have captured audio from these venues such as the sounds of a bowling ally of one location or cutlery noises of the restaurant that would have given a more interactive rounded tour. 


All in all, Matt as a comedian was engaging and charming. I would have loved some slight gaps in between comedic punches to appreciate the cleverly written dialogue as Matt did prefer a very fast pace delivery! Matt is an intelligent writer using pop culture references as well as detrimental millennial humour. His ability to weave together elements of his personal experiences with sharp, witty observations about modern life added layers of depth to the performance. Matt kept his 35ish people audience entertained and amused through the hour tour. 


"Dead to Me: A Comedy Ghost Tour with Matt Bell" is a refreshing and innovative take on stand-up comedy. Matt's engaging storytelling, quick wit, and the unique format of the tour make for an unforgettable experience. While there are areas for potential enhancement, the tour's originality and Matt's undeniable charm shine through, leaving the audience both entertained and wanting more. It's a must-see for comedy lovers and those looking to experience Melbourne in a new light.

Image Supplied
Image Supplied

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