Just weeks before her show was to premier at last year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Brisbane mother of three was involved in a head-on car collision with her 11-month-old baby in the back seat.

The incident sidelined her for six months.

"It was such a horrifying time," Wynter says.

"I had such a misplaced sense of superiority over such events. It really rocked me."

Wynter recovered for six months and headed over to the US where she worked with director Gary Austin and trained with some improv comedy teachers.

Now she's back in Melbourne for this year's Fringe Festival with her act The Unexpected Variety Show.

In town for two weeks, the show presents a mesh of stand-up, musical comedy and storytelling in a theatrical piece.

The show was initially developed by Wynter during a residency at the prestigious Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada, where it impressed audiences.

It also received positive reviews at the recent Cabaret Fringe Festival in Adelaide.

"Total strangers have come up to hug me, people have cried, one woman brought her recently separated husband back the next night to watch the show again with her, another one emailed to tell me the show had inspired him to move cities and follow his dream," Wynter says.

"I've been tremendously lucky to have such incredible people to come on board and help me create this show that is so deeply personal."

The Unexpected Variety Show is part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival at Revolt Melbourne, 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington, until October 9.

Tickets: $20, concession $15. Details: www.melbournefringe.com.au