Justine Sless: ‘BRAVO’, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026
About Justine Sless
Justine Sless is a comedian and author whose recent solo show, BRAVO, played at the 2026 Melbourne International Comedy Festival to high praise, described as “a delicious show, supremely hilarious, intelligent, cheeky and insightful.”
Alongside her writing and performing, Sless teaches stand-up comedy and creative writing in schools, workplaces and libraries, with a particular focus on people at risk of homelessness and those living with complex mental health conditions.
Despite leaving school having struggled academically and later being diagnosed as dyslexic, Sless went on to complete a Master’s by research in creative writing, publish two previous books and perform numerous one-woman comedy shows.
“It’s about surrounding yourself with a great team,” she says. “Writing and performing is never a solo pursuit.”
‘Before I Sing You This Song’:
Born and raised in Sunderland, but having lived in Australia for many years, Sless is returning home in October 2026 to launch her third book, ‘Before I Sing You This Song’. Published by Crear Publishing, the novel is a decade in the making and marks a genuine homecoming, both literary and literal, for the Melbourne-based writer.
Set in Sunderland in 1978, the novel draws inspiration from local comedy legend Bobby Thompson, so beloved in the region that, as Sless puts it, “some would say he’s like royalty.” Extracts from Thompson’s original material are woven throughout the story, used with the blessing of his family.
At the heart of the book is Elsie Bishop, a Hendon born woman whose diaries and newspaper cuttings form the backbone of the narrative. Elsie is an ordinary woman with an extraordinary ambition: To perform stand-up comedy at a time when women were permitted to sing in working men’s clubs, but never to tell jokes.
Through Elsie’s story, ‘Before I Sing You This Song’ examines class, gender and misogyny with warmth, wit and unflinching honesty. The novel is meticulously researched and written in authentic pitmatic dialect.
“Justine’s work explores social class, gender and northern identity in the 1970s through one woman’s determination to forge a path for herself. In a time of increasing polarisation, it is more necessary than ever to hear the stories of places like Sunderland.”
— Jessica Andrews, author of 'Saltwater’ and ‘Milk Teeth’
“Before I Sing You This Song is a gorgeously funny novel that doesn’t shy away from the difficult truths of life. Elsie is a sparkling heroine whose wit and humour pull us deep into the vibrant heart of working-class northern life. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but you’ll never regret a second spent reading this delightful book.”
— Jen Bowden, host of the ‘Northern Voices Podcast’
‘Before I Sing You This Song’ by Justine Sless.
Cover design by Illustrator Fe Duncan.
Praise for ‘Before I Sing You This Song’:
“As the son of Bobby Thompson, the Little Waster,
I was fortunate enough to read the book prior
to its release. Being just a daft Geordie myself,
I found it a most engaging read. Justine has captured the moment and is quite clearly a gifted author.”
— Keith Thompson
Listen to Fe Duncan on the ArtyParti podcast:
Nicole Saenchan retells her experience of leaving university and entering the world of commercial product design, trading collaborative university projects for the practicalities and logistics of fabrication with organisations like Primark and LC Waikiki, and the community of her fellow graduates who supported and checked in with each other along the way.