MELANIE BRACEWELL

 
 

BIOGRAPHY

Comedian / Writer / Host

Melanie Bracewell has quickly carved out a path in the comedy scene with her impressive list of credits, showing she has a writing skill set well beyond her years. Bracewell has worked as a writer on all four seasons of the smash hit show ‘Wellington Paranormal’ - from the minds of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi. In 2021, Melanie won ‘Best Script: Comedy’ for an episode of ‘Wellington Paranormal’ at the NZ Television awards. 

Additionally, Melanie has contributed as a writer on 7 Days, Have You Been Paying Attention (NZ), Mean Mums, Time Bandits, Bird’s Eye View and Do Not Watch This Show.  

From the moment she took the microphone, Melanie has been in hot demand, performing regularly in both in Australia and New Zealand. Some notable performances include opening for Jim Gaffigan and Norah Jones - yes, she really did comedy before a Norah Jones concert.   

She also reached worldwide fame when her impressions of Jacinda Ardern went viral, the story was covered by The Guardian and the BBC. 

Futhermore, Bracewell is also an experienced radio announcer, working at the popular radio station ‘Radio Hauraki’ for 6 years, both as a producer and an announcer. 

Melanie has sold out seasons in Australia, New Zealand and the UK. In 2021 she won the Director’s Choice Award at The Melbourne International Comedy Festival.  

Internationally, Melanie has appeared on QI and Richard Osman’s House of Games  in the UK and had a standout performance at The Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.  

Closer to home she was the winner of Season 4 of Taskmaster NZ and has appeared on Thank God You’re Here and guest starred in multiple episodes of URZILA, Urzila Carlson’s hit sketch comedy series. 

A popular contestant on Have You Been Paying Attention?, she has managed to convince the Australian public to look past her accent and realise she’s bloody funny (even if she is a kiwi) and in 2021, Melanie moved to Australia and became the co-host of the Network 10 series, The Cheap Seat.  

Now in its sixth season, The Cheap Seats has been nominated for three TV Week Logie Awards, winning Most Outstanding Entertainment Program in 2023. Furthermore, Melanie was nominated for The Graham Kennedy Award for ‘Most Popular New Talent’ at the 2022 Logies.  

Continuing her momentum on stage, Melanie embarked on a successful UK tour with Forget Me Not, releasing the show on YouTube in 2024. She then followed up with, The Attack of the Melanie Bracewell, which sold out across Australia, New Zealand, UK and Edinburgh. She toured her latest live offering, Dilly Dallying, throughout the UK & Ireland and is currently touring Australia & New Zealand.  

REVIEWS
“Melanie’s at the top of her game, using an almost unbelievable experience as the foundation for a fantastic hour of comedy.”
Scenestr

“The queen of well-earned callbacks and a master of wordplay, Bracewell’s always one step ahead of her audience.”
The Age

“Punchlines for days” 
Sydney Morning Herald

"A master of the stage”
STUFF.CO.NZ

"Amusing extrapolations interspersed with snappy one-liners are fashioned into a blitzing, clever, supremely satisfying set.”  ★★★★½
The Age

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