THE DEBUTANTE DIARIES
Kate McLennan’s one-woman show The Debutante Diaries was the over-whelming success story of the 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show received rave reviews, playing to packed houses night after night – culminating in a prestigious Barry Award nomination; the Comedy Festival’s top gong for Best Show. This multi-award winning comedy follows the trials and tribulations of a high school community preparing for that teenage rite of passage - the Debutante Ball.
The Debutante Diaries takes audiences back to their High School days, where the scent of Impulse deodorant and decomposing sandwiches still linger in the air; as Kate plays a range of debzillas hilariously navigating their way through adolescence. Experience first love, first kisses and first heartache all over again - you’ll cringe and cry at the gut wrenching honesty but ultimately laugh because it’s not happening to you! A “Mean Girls” meets “Carrie” comedy from this critically acclaimed actress.
Firmly rooted in Australian Suburbia; The Debutante Diaries hilariously and at times poignantly, depicts the stories of 9 characters, as Kate slips effortlessly between roles. The audience are introduced to the dubious Deb organiser, Mr. “Call me Guy” Gerrity, who is trying to top last year's controversially themed 'Burlesque Deb'. They meet the manic perfectionist, Chrystelle with her ‘Fairytale Deb’ scrap book and the school Bitch & Beauty Queen, Stacey, kindly takes us through her beauty regime…“Monday is hair straightening, Tuesday tanning, Wednesday waxing and then on Thursday Mum and I get colonically instigated.” But it's the character of Sophie, with her painfully honest and touching diary entries, who takes us back to our own High School days where we were all just kids trying desperately to find our place.
“Kate McLennan is simply hilarious. This show is an absolute gem, and not to be missed.” - SA THEATRE GUIDE
“The script was incredible ... make time to check out her show. You won't regret it.” - ADELAIDE ADVERTISER
AWARDS
Winner 2006 Melbourne Fringe “Best Comedy” Award
Winner 2006 Melbourne Fringe and Melbourne Airport “Emerging Artist” Award
Nominee 2007 Melbourne International Comedy Festival “Barry Award” for Most Outstanding Show
Nominee 2007 Adelaide Theatre Guide “Curtain Call” Award for Best Show – Comedy
