This October, Elena Gabrielle brings her latest show, Disturb the Vibe to Valletta, offering audiences a fun night, packed with variety of different styles of comedy drawn from her own life.
“My style of comedy is very much storytelling,” she explains. “A lot of people know me from my dating stories which went viral during COVID, but this show is more an amalgamation of the last few years – family stuff, relationships, just life, making fun of life.”
Always a joy to return
Gabrielle has visited Malta in 2018, mostly for shows, and since then has been struck by the island’s small yet supportive comedy scene. “There’s not a lot of comedy that happens here, so when comedians do come to Malta, audiences really come out and support. I’ve had some fantastic shows in the past, so that’s why it’s always a joy to come back.’’
This time, she’ll perform in Valletta, a setting she’s particularly excited about – “There’s something kind of rustic and antique about performing in the old town. Gabrielle has also shared her love for Maltese food and Maltese audiences – “I’m also looking forward to eating good seafood, enjoying the nice weather as well as chatting with the audience after the show. I always try and make time after the show to talk to people and hear their stories.”
Humour that resonates
With Italian roots and years of living in multicultural Australia, Gabrielle sees strong cultural overlaps with Maltese audiences. “I grew up Italian in Australia, I had Italians, Greeks and Maltese friends – we all kind of stuck together. So when I talk about my Italian nonna in the show, I think that’s something Maltese audiences will find very familiar.”
She also doesn’t shy away from local observations. “When I was in Malta last time, I noticed how crazy the driving is here. My cab driver even told me about a whole drag racing scene I didn’t know existed.”
Life on tour
Touring is both a passion and a way of life. “A lot of comedians like myself are adventurers – we love finding out about new places,” Gabrielle says. “Every audience is different and every country has different humour. Some jokes land in one but not in different and every country has different humour. Some jokes land in one but not in another, so I adapt and add little local touches. It’s part of the fun. Like you can never know how audiences are going to respond.”
Being on the road also means she rarely has downtime, but she’s looking forward to making the most of her two nights in Malta. “Normally I fly in and fly out. This time I’m staying a bit longer, so maybe I’ll even get to the beach.”
What’s next?
Beyond her tour, Gabrielle has other plans in the future. “I really want to write a book about all my travels as a solo female comedian – the good, the bad and the funny. Touring is exhausting at times, but I feel super lucky. It’s a dream to do this and keep exploring new countries. Next year I plan to do some shows in Japan, South America like Brazil, Argentina – I need to just keep ticking off countires. ”
For Maltese audiences, the draw is clear – a night of heartfelt and relatable comedy from someone who knows how to turn life’s everyday chaos into laughter.
Catch Gabrielle and her show on October 9th & 10th at Malta Society of Arts. Find more information here.
