Lesa MacLeod-Whiting doesn’t just take the stage in Rebellina – she invites you into her living room for a late-night chat with your smartest, funniest friend. The Billy T Award nominee weaves storytelling magic in this show about feminine rebellion, motherhood and the quiet revolution of being unapologetically yourself. 

MacLeod-Whiting’s comedy is like the best kind of academic paper, if academic papers left you crying with laughter. She effortlessly discusses feminist translation theory and Michelangelo like she’s gossiping about neighbours, making highbrow concepts feel like inside jokes with your coolest mate. Every anecdote is perfectly paced: detailed enough to sink into, clipped enough to leave you leaning forward for the next revelation. 

At its core, Rebellina is about the messy work of self-discovery. MacLeod-Whiting chronicles her attempts to dismantle the patriarchy while wrestling with an even tougher opponent: her own expectations. Her driving force (being a role model for her daughter) adds touching depth. This isn’t just rebellion for the sake of it; it’s rebellion with purpose. 

The production’s simplicity belies its brilliance. A sparse set gives way to hidden surprises, but the real magic is MacLeod-Whiting’s physicality. She’s a master of understated comedy, wielding silence and subtle gestures like weapons. Where many comedians mistake volume for humour, her quiet confidence is revolutionary. The audience doesn’t just laugh, we are caught in the spell of her warmth and wit. 

A standout moment comes when wayward theatregoers stumble in late. Where others might falter, MacLeod-Whiting folds them into the show with such grace it feels scripted. That’s her superpower: making everyone feel like they’re exactly where they’re meant to be. 

Rebellina solidifies MacLeod-Whiting as a force in comedy. She’s the rare performer who can make intellectualism accessible, feminism hilarious, and motherhood a collective adventure. I’ll be first in line for her next show, and dragging everyone I know along with me. 

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