Strong Female Character is Rowena Hutson’s third solo show for Melbourne Fringe (The Unstoppable, Unsung Story of Shaky M, and A Four-Eyed Guide to the Galaxy showing in previous years) and that’s a testament to her bankable, albeit dark, comic ability. Hutson says the best comedy is the kind that “walks the line between comedy and tragedy,” and her grand plan for this new show is to make people laugh first, then “kick ‘em in the guts.”

Hutson describes herself as a “storyteller and a clown” rather than a stand-up comedian, though Strong Female Character required a whole new approach, as it is her first show performing as herself, taking the audience through a loose narrative of her life. “It’s been harder to write because there’s no one to hide behind,” she explains, “it’s completely different because I’m not playing a character this time.”

The show begins with the first six years of her childhood during which she was absolutely convinced she’d been born a boy. Hilarity ensues.

It focuses on the irony of Hutson growing up as “a total hero-worshipper”, before growing into a “card-carrying feminist”, despite all those heroes being “white, male, privileged, and extremely problematic.” She recalls a funny place in her past where she struggled with the decision about whether she wanted to be Indiana Jones, or to be with Indiana Jones [paraphrased from some colourful language].

Most importantly though, Hutson reflects on how these male heroes are always allowed to be funny. When she watched Guardians of the Galaxy she noted that even now, she still wants to be Peter not Gamora (who she calls the “the hero” and “the fembot”, respectively).

“It’s because he gets to be funny, and flawed, and still be the hero, but she has to be perfect. I’m not perfect! I’m a loser! But I’m still funny and a scoundrel, and I love all of that about myself.”

Go see Strong Female Character, and you’ll love all that about Hutson too.

It is showing at Fringe Hub – Parlour Room, Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St North Melbourne from Saturday 26 September to Saturday 3 October at 6:45pm each night, but 5:45pm on Sunday. For more information and to book tickets, call +61 (0)3 9660 9600 or visit https://www.melbournefringe.com.au/.