In Reads Between No Lines, Maren May invites us into a world that many know intimately but few see represented with such honesty, humour and heart.
With a sharp eye for the absurd and a generous sense of self-awareness, May takes viewers on a delightfully awkward tour through the unwritten rules of human interaction; the lingering awkward silences, the cultural footnotes missed mid-conversation, and the head-tilting logic behind so many “normal” behaviours.
Director Claire Hooper handles the material with just the right mix of levity and respect, allowing the humour to bloom naturally while never undermining the emotional truth behind it. But beneath the laughs there is something even more profound – a gentle, courageous exploration of what it means to see the world differently.
May’s openness about navigating her own autism diagnosis adds rich emotional depth without ever veering into sentimentality. She delivers her insights with disarming clarity, a quick wit, and a deep compassion that radiates through every anecdote.
From seeking advice from Chat GPT after uploading her journal entries to being a penis controller at a music festival, from awkward dates to the confusion of misheard lyrics… why are they kicking the Dancing Queen? May deftly walks the line between social commentary and personal storytelling.
In a world where ‘fitting in’ often feels like a performance, Maren May reminds us that there’s power in seeing things differently.
Maren May: Reads Between No Lines
Tasma Terrace, 6 Parliament Place, East Melbourne
Performance: Thursday 10 April 2025 – 7.10pm
Season continues to 20 April 2025
Information and Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Image: Maren May (supplied)
Review: Rohan Shearn