Joshua Ladgrove Baba

2023 MOOSEHEAD RECIPIENT

Joshua Ladgrove Baba

Winner Golden Gibbo 2019 Melbourne International Comedy Festival
Winner Amused Moose Comedy Award 2016 Edinburgh Fringe
Winner Best Comedy 2012 Melbourne Fringe

Joshua Ladgrove was a multi-award-winning performer prior to caring for his 97 year-old Ukrainian grandmother – "Baba" – in almost complete isolation for two and a half years from February 2020 until her death in August 2022. This is that story. A funny, moving and occasionally accurate show about life, death, family and the Bold and Beauty.

Did you hear the one about the dead 97-year-old Ukrainian grandma? No? That’s because death isn’t very funny, and y’know, there’s this whole war business going on in Ukraine thanks to ol’ mate Putler, which isn’t exactly a laugh riot, so it’s probably not the best subject matter for a comedy show. What’s life without a challenge though? Besides, I have literally nothing else to talk about. So here we are – a comedy show about my recently departed 97-year-old Ukrainian grandmother, affectionately known as “Baba”; the best person I’ve ever known.

They say that comedy = tragedy + time, or rearranging the equation to make time the subject, time = comedy – tragedy. According to the kinematic equations, time = velocity ÷ acceleration and so we get, tragedy = (velocity ÷ acceleration) – comedy, which I think we can all agree, is quite profound.

A bold departure from his previous character work as cult idiot Neal Portenza in various shows, cult religious icon, Jesus H. Christ, in the 2015 sensation Come Heckle Christ and as a cultish and aggressively enthusiastic Bilge Pump Salesperson in his award-winning 2019 sell out show, Joshua Ladgrove is Australia’s Best Blige Pump Salesperson, Baba sees Joshua perform without a mask for the first time in his career, with a new comedy show that endeavours to keep Baba’s spirit alive, by telling the tale of her extraordinary life. Ukraine, democracy, the scourge of communism, ALDI, a white Maltese Terrier Bichon Frisé named Maxx, two bottles of gin, the new Ridge in the Bold and Beauty, Pokémon, soup, Fleetwood Mac, Rick Stein, a boat ride on the Yarra, паска, п'єрогі, the elderly – these are just a taste of some of the complex themes explored in Baba.

If you only see one show at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, it’s probably because inflation is biting hard and comedy shows aren’t as important as say, chicken breasts or school fees.

Baba is a co-creation between Joshua and former Barry Award winner Jason Marion.

'One of the most exhilarating and insane nights of comedy I've ever experienced. ★★★★★' Sydney Morning Herald

'Brilliant... hilarious. ★★★★½' The Age

'Had the sold-out Melbourne Town Hall backstage room absolutely heaving with laughter. ★★★★½' Herald Sun