Reviewed April 2025 for Theatre Matters.
I’ve been writing for Theatre Matters (previously Theatrepeople) for nearly 10 years and have written close to 50 reviews in that time.
This week something happened that has never happened before. Two reviewers went and reviewed the same show.
Because the other reviewer submitted their review before me – by a matter of minutes I’m told – they rightly couldn’t publish mine.
But I *know* some people are waiting for it and I like writing and sharing my thoughts, so I have permission to post my review here.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be writing a Melbourne International Comedy Festival review show about Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but here we are.
Full Disclosure: This is my universe. I was a bit late to the Buffy fandom, but believe me when I say…I’m a FAN. I’ve been to conventions, I’ve met most of the cast – although still yet to meet SMG and Anthony Head. I’ve had the merchandise, including a Buffy action figure that a group of friends and I used to send around the world and take pictures of her on various adventures. Some of my closest IRL and online friends I met through MightyBigTV / Television Without Pity forums. So, I’m a FAN. All caps.
And I’m not shy about it. Buffy and the universes that followed not only still entertain me, but they have a very dear place in my heart, and the memories and experiences I’ve built around the show make a big part of me, me.
So when an opportunity came up to review Buffy Revamped as part of the MICF 2025, let’s just say I jumped on it faster than a vampire would jump on a free bag of blood.
Billed as ‘Seventy minutes. Seven seasons. One Spike.’ and coming to Australia with already a slew (not slay) of top notch reviews from its appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe and several sold-out UK tours, Buffy Revamped is a side-splittingly funny, pop-culture filled, brilliantly executed love letter to the Buffyverse.
Staged at fortyfivebelowdownstairs, guests are greeted with a suitably spooky stage setup and the greatest hits of 90s emo rock music playing. There was definitely a definable demographic at the performance I attended. Lets just say I think we all would tick the same box in an age questionnaire.
It has been 20 years since the Hellmouth has closed, and with a quick incantation Spike is reawakened in 2025 where a few horrifying prophecies are coming true. In a nutshell, everything is going to sh*t.
So, instead of looking forward to what mis-adventures Spike could have in the modern world, we look back at 7 seasons of Buffy in 70 reasonably priced minutes.
Buffy Revamped is a solo show, with all characters including William the Bloody, played by Brendan Murphy, who also wrote the show.
Murphy brings all the major players – or has he described them ‘The Fellowship of the Buff’ – to life with wigs, costume changes, stuffed animals, googly eyes and sometimes just a gesture.
His portrayal of season 1 finale Buffy in her very striking white prom dress was a particular standout, as was his particularly fine & snarky Cordelia and a small cross-over from his other hit production “FRIEND (The One with Gunther)” drew a striking similarity between Chandler and Xander.
As billed, this revisit to Sunnydale is told by Spike, and I’ll admit that Murphy captured quite a few of Spike’s mannerisms and characteristics very well. There were a couple of moments his British-isms skewed into Monty Python territory, but I guess if you are doing a comedy show, that’s bound to happen!
Murphy covers seasons 1 to 5 in fine enough detail, with delightful variation on how each season is recapped. Season 3 is mostly told through the characters singing at The Bronze (why was it always full of under-age children), season 4 quite hysterically mostly told in Hush slide style, complete with the same soundtrack and William the Bloody makes an appearance to emote season 5 through poetry.
However, seasons 6 and 7 get a bit blurred and mashed together – which I suppose if you talk to any Buffy fan, that’s kind of how we remember them. We can talk about most episodes from season 1 – 4 in great detail, season 5 we will just say “wait, Ben is Glory”, but aside from a couple of stand out episodes, seasons 6 and 7…well….shrug.
I do feel it was a HUGE missed moment that one of Buffy’s finest episodes does not get more than a passing mention. Music is a huge (and brilliant) part of how Murphy brings this Buffy recap to life, so I was very surprised that the musical episode didn’t get more of a feature.
Would you enjoy Buffy Revamped if you haven’t seen Buffy? If you are a fan of smart, well done comedy and music – then I say yes. You won’t get a lot of the references, but Murphy’s absolute obvious delight, the occasional ad-lib, audience participation and the provision of emergency stakes should do enough for you to enjoy the show.
If you are a casual, watched-a-few-episodes and know enough to be dangerous or MEGA-FAN like myself…run like Angelus is chasing you to see Murphy. I mean Spike.
Just make sure to be armed with your crucifix, garlic and pointy stick.
P.S. What DID happen to the dragon that came through the portal at the end of season 5?
B at The Bows 