In Chip On Her Shoulder, writer-director Jen McAuliffe and performer Vanessa Buckley serve up something truly special – a one-woman show that’s as crunchy and satisfying as the snacks it so affectionately obsesses over.
Equal parts comedy and confession, this is a refreshingly raw, hilariously honest portrait of an Aussie adrift in New York City, armed only with a nursing degree, a dream of Broadway, and an industrial supply of potato chips.
From the first salty laugh to the last bittersweet crumb, Buckley commands the stage with extraordinary charisma. Her performance as Kate – an overworked nurse and under-appreciated dreamer – is built on vulnerability and wit.
Buckley seamlessly navigates between biting humour and gut-punch emotion, delivering this monologue that make you laugh out loud one moment and tear up the next. Buckley’s timing is spot on, her energy electric, and her ability to hold an audience captive is remarkable.
McAuliffe’s script is sharp, smart and deeply human – a reminder that even in the chaos of grief, burnout, and self-doubt, there’s beauty (and comedy) to be found. The play crackles with that same awkward, honest humour – the kind that exposes life’s absurdities without ever losing empathy for its characters.
The show’s brilliance lies in its balance. Chip On Her Shoulder isn’t just a story about failure or frustration; it’s a love letter to the mess of modern womanhood – the hunger, the heartbreak, and the hilariously unglamorous coping mechanisms that get us through.
Chip On Her Shoulder is fearless, funny and unapologetically human – a crunchy, cathartic delight that reminds us all: sometimes being “a little salty” is exactly what keeps us going.
Following its successful Fringe season, a new adaptation of Chip on Her Shoulder has been selected for the New York Fringe Festival. Written and directed by Jen McAuliffe, this reimagined version brings a Latina twist to the story and will premiere in April at The Chain Theatre for its Off-Broadway USA debut.
The production stars Latina actress and New York native Victoria Nieves. McAuliffe created Off With Their Heads Productions to bring bold female works to stage…
Chip On Her Shoulder
Explosives Factory, Rear Laneway, 67 Inkerman Street, St Kilda
Performance: Wednesday 8 October 2025
Season continues to 11 October 2025
Bookings: www.melbournefringe.com.au
For more information, visit: www.theatreworks.org.au for details.
Image: Vanessa Buckley stars as Kate in Chip On Her Shoulder – photo by Kieran McNamara
Review: Rohan Shearn