one4review | On 09, Aug 2025

Abby Howells’s entrance on stage is soundtracked by the somewhat unsettling and bizarre Tiny Tim song ‘Welcome to My Dream’ – the title obviously inspiring the name of her show. One of Abby’s first disclaimers is her regret in committing to this title and thus committing to hearing this song every night. Another disclaimer is offered for the attendees who dread audience participation in comedy shows; the front row is not the danger zone. Abby is on the autism spectrum and chronicles her struggles with social interactions which go off-script within this show, therefore she commits fully to her prepared material which proves a charming and fairly refined hour of Howells’ unique comedy. Her neurodivergence serves as an important detail of Welcome to My Dream, as Abby discusses the unfortunate consequences of going viral for a comedy set in which she discusses the autism spectrum.

Howells also uses the show as an opportunity to address her enemies. A term with such weighty connotations does not usually bring to mind an amateur improv group or an optical illusion tourist attraction called Puzzling World, but these are the rivals who will be vanquished. On Wednesday night, she has a captive audience on her side, genuinely invested in how she was wronged, gasping and murmuring in response to the details. It is easy to understand why; Abby is incredibly endearing and likeable, with a awkward and idiosyncratic cadence and vernacular which perfectly serves the comedic potential of these life stories.

There is no doubt her career will go from strength to strength – especially following the exposure of last year’s appearance on Taskmaster NZ. She is utterly deserving of a larger audience and I’m certain her profile will increase and present her with more opportunity to escalate her beef with Puzzling World.

***1/2

Reviewed by Niamh O’Hara

Assembly George Square – Studio 4

18.40 (1hr)

Until 24 Aug (not 13)