In Dilly Dally, the ever-endearing Mary O’Connell asks how (and when) we truly grow up. Living in her family home with her boyfriend prompts the comic to reflect on love’s shapeshifting states – childhood to adulthood, familial to romantic. Despite her voiced fears of stagnancy and inadequacy, in Dilly Dally, O’Connell simply flourishes.
With O’Connell’s easy charisma, we come to know and love her family. Reflecting on shared childhood games, medical emergencies, and unconventional wedding set-ups, she offers an intimate familial portrait which both resonates and surprises. To offer such depth and warmth in one short hour is an admirable feat.
The set itself is astonishingly polished: O’Connell is assured and charming and at ease. Tightly-woven, the narrative unravels slowly – O’Connell is careful not to play all her cards in the first round. Callbacks, likewise, are well-timed and well-sourced. Her humour isn’t too heavy-handed; rather, O’Connell finds each comic gem in the wonders of the everyday. Some references are admittedly very rooted in a particular algorithm – most notably, eldest daughter syndrome and girl math. More often than not, however, O’Connell brings a fresh yet familiar take to late twenties growing pains.
Mary O’Connell: Dilly Dally, Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug (not 11), 7.15pm