Review: The Breakup Variety Hour by Ariana and the Rose (Melbourne International Comedy Festival)
The six stages of heartbreak sung by the charismatic Ariana and the Rose
As a long-time ardent admirer of other people’s drama, my attention was naturally captured by Ariana and the Rose’s show The Breakup Variety Hour at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Arriving on Australian shores from Ariana’s home in New York, The Breakup Variety Hour is as interesting as it sounds: a one-hour show which takes its audiences through the six stages of heartbreak.
The Breakup Variety Hour is a fun, high-energy hour jam-packed with upbeat songs and jokes alike expertly performed by charismatic songstress Ariana and the Rose.
It’s part-pop performance, part-confessional monologue, part-hilarious conversation. The show traverses smoothly between songs, speeches and audience interaction and engagement.
After years spent putting out music and touring as a pop artist, Ariana and the Rose felt that something wasn’t quite right. She wanted to do something different. Craving a stronger connection with her audience and feeling inspired after a weird breakup, she wrote her one-woman stand-up show-slash-album, The Breakup Variety Hour. She finds that comedy allows her more freedom and a greater chance at interacting with her audience which she relishes.
Even though heartbreak is a common topic among artists, especially musicians, this show demonstrates the universality behind it which means it never grows old. Ariana approaches well-worn ideas with new frustrations and excitements which resonate extremely strongly with her audience.
The show is easy to follow, presented as a six-step program to recovery from heartbreak. Upbeat number ‘Back in the Groove,’ part of step five on Ariana’s journey, explores the frenetic energy of getting back out there after a heartbreak. The dates may be messy and the guys not soulmates, but you’re back and that counts for something.
It’s impressively high-tech for a one-woman show, with Ariana operating her own backing tracks at no detriment to her performance. The direction of the show is clear and seamless, with great lighting operation as well.
Ariana’s touring experience is immediately evident in her confident stage presence. She’s charismatic and funny, especially when talking to her audience. Her humour comes especially easily in her crowd work.
A real highlight was when she invited members of the audience onstage to share their bad date stories. We were treated to two women, the first who found our post-date that the guy had since gone to jail and the second who went on a walk in the park with a guy who refused to hold her hand in favour of playing Pokémon Go. Big yikes.
Ariana turns the often sad theme of heartbreak into a very enjoyable evening of laughs and great tunes.
Rating: Recommend
Show: The Breakup Variety Hour
Performer and writer: Ariana and the Rose
Festival: Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Dates and venue: Trades Hall (Solidarity Hall) until 19 April 2026