Melbourne Comedy Festival 2018: Nikki Osborne defends show on autism

THE mother of child with autism who is debuting her stand-up show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has come under fire from critics who say autism is not a laughing matter.

THE mother of child with autism who is debuting her first stand-up show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has come under fire from critics who say autism is not a laughing matter.

Nikki Osborne has described her show On The Spectrumas an “hilarious and heartwarming insight into what life is like living on the spectrum” but her critics have demanded its cancellation.

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Osborne is the mother of a child with autism and a blogger and campaigner for autism awareness.

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Her one-woman-show has raised the ire of some people with autism and those researching the condition and a string of complaints have been posted on Kingston Council’s Facebook page accusing Osborne of “inviting people to laugh at a child’s disability and daily struggles”.

Because the act is premiering in Moorabbin, objectors have also asked Kingston Council to investigate the material before “allowing” it to be performed at a council-owned venue.

Ormond resident Monica Fairbairn, 32, is among those who want the show called off.

“I’m autistic and I don’t like the idea of someone who doesn’t have autism making jokes about autism,” Ms Fairbairn said.

“It’s not that I don’t want autism being talked about. If it was an autistic comedian that would be funny and relatable.”

Nikki Osborne has come under fire for her stand up show On The Spectrum. Picture: Jason Sammon

Osborne said the reaction was upsetting and disappointing.

“How about people come and see the show before being offended?” she said.

She said the content was about her own experiences as a parent of a child with autism “navigating the tyranny of the system”.

“It’s my story. I am certainly not making fun of the condition,” Osborne said.

Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said On The Spectrum was not a council event.

“There is a range of different venues in Kingston that are hired out for commercial and community events,” Cr Staikos said.

“That doesn’t mean the council has any control over the performance.”

He said the show would appeal to some and not to others.

“I suggest that if it interests you, go and see it and if it doesn’t vote with your feet and stay away.”

A Melbourne International Comedy Festival spokeswoman said they supported “human humour of personal experience.”

On The Spectrum will premiere in Kingston City Hall Moorabbin on Thursday, April 12, and will run on April14 and April 21.