Melanie has had a busy time on and off our screens, and has recently been nominated for the Billy T Award. We catch up with her about preparing for her upcoming show and find out what else she has planned!

The last few months have been a mixture of thrill, stress and exhaustion. I got nominated for the Billy T Award which has been a huge goal of mine ever since I started comedy. I got to appear in the yearly comedy festival 7 Days special – “7 Days vs. The World”. Plus, the TV show I wrote with Jemaine Clement is coming out very soon!

It is truly – and I honestly hate people who use this word – humbling. But I’m using it anyway because I never in a million years thought this would be possible. I feel like my career is taking shape and I can really see a future for myself in comedy.

That was the thrill part, the stress and exhaustion comes with putting together an hour comedy solo show. That’s what I’ll be judged on to determine whether I win the Billy T award or not.

It takes a lot of work to put an hour of comedy together, so over the past few weeks, any moment of relaxation came with the haunting reality that my show was getting closer every second. So I just worked and worked until I had something I’m satisfied with. Actually, I’m more than satisfied; I think this show is going to be really cool.

It opens very soon in Wellington, and then Auckland after that. I’ve been blown away with how many people have bought tickets already. It’s a very surreal feeling to know that complete strangers are willing to pay money to watch me talk for an hour. I can’t wait to see everyone there.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS TODAY: https://www.comedyfestival.co.nz/find-a-show/mel-bracewell-melodrama/