Natalie Reviews

Serena Flynn has chosen a very risky genre of theatre, but it definitely pays off! Bouffon is a lesser known clowning style that deserves more appreciation than it currently receives, especially when it’s performed as well as it is by Serena Flynn. Her character, Prune, is shrivelled and bitter after a relationship break down, but that doesn’t mean that she won’t have fun with her audience while she gets through the heartbreak! It’s easy to push audiences too far in this style of theatre, but Prune perfects the balance, keeping her character’s wildly grotesque and alarming nature but also enabling the audience to empathise with her. Go into her basement ready to play, and Prune will take you on a fun, eccentric journey! There really is nothing else anything like this at the fringe, go and support her (you can pay what you like), and give her the audiences she deserves.

Despite a difficult start to her run at the fringe (with technical problems that are essential to her show), Stevie’s show has an engaging and bouncy energy, and consistent flow. It’s hard to fit this show into an exact genre, I suppose it combines sketch comedy with stand up to form a show about… beginnings. You won’t be catching any middles or ends in the show, it’s purely a show for beginnings. But let me tell you, you’ve never loved beginnings so much. The unrelenting, perpetual presentation of beginning after beginning is flung at the audience at such a speed, that both performer and audience hardly get a moment to compose themselves. Go and see this show to get caught up in a shower of irony and puns. You’ll thank me later.

A show with audience interaction, group singing and asking the big questions together. It’s flirtatious, it’s playful and it’s funny. The audience are confused. Madame Señorita is confused. It’s a very confusing show on various levels, but it’s all good fun. The star of our show is our attention-seeking, wannabe super-star, Basque clown, and she’s absolutely endearing. Madame Señorita mesmerises with her dance ability and catchy songs (which days later will still be stuck in your head). Even when things go wrong, her strong improvisational skills will keep you charmed. A great show to check out if you’re into physical comedy!

This show is perfect for those who want to change up their fringe experience and include more dance and movement.

Maisie is so good at building a strong connection with her audience that by the end of her show you will wish she were your new best mate. She will make nostalgic references that will make you reminisce but also wince a bit. Her set is well rounded, and her energy is endearing. And, she can turn difficult struggles in her life into a moment that creates roars of laughter in the audience. She’s someone genuine, and she’s someone you will be able to relate to. Despite having been given essentially a sauna for a venue, Maisie styles it out with her hilarious quips and even some physical comedy, making the discomfort of the heat more bearable. I was surprised to learn that Maisie had only been on the circuit for two years, the quality would suggest she had been performing for much longer. You should see this show if you want to see a future stand up star!

The show is exactly as described on the tin: two mimes performing visual short stories. This is a great show to introduce you to mime if you’re unfamiliar. Duo Mimikry follow a more traditional style of mime. Their technique has clearly been a key part of their training, and it shows in their work that every detail matters. Having said this, I find that the show doesn’t feel particularly contemporary or fresh. The show seemed a little predictable and moments to me: I felt I had seen something similar to almost everything they did within the show. I also felt that maybe some of the ideas for the stories were a little too morbid considering the light atmosphere they seem to try to create throughout.  Like I say if you’ve never seen mime before it’s a great show to start you off and ease you into what it’s about. Maybe if you are already in the mime/physical theatre world I would give this one a miss.

Tessa is an excellent comedy performer who needs more hype around her! She’s relatable, she’s fresh and most importantly she’s funny. Tessa’s show will discuss the silly and the seriously important, all in a neat little one hour package. Her bouncy personality has you excited from the moment you walk into the venue. She’s genuine and present, and she loves the audience as much as they love her. Go and see Tessa if you want to ponder existence, but also not take life too seriously. If you don’t manage to catch her at the fringe, check out her podcast, ‘Nobody Panic’, with Stevie Martin.

The first thing I should say to you before you see this show is keep your mind open. You don’t have to understand everything in this performance. With this attitude you can just sit back and enjoy the talent of this theatre company. Come To Daddy is a devised show, with slick and innovative movement, striking imagery and a committed cast. The show will take you on a journey of many emotions, some of which you may not even be able to identify. The performers carry an aloof, mysterious tone, leaving you to ask more questions than will be answered. Come to this show because you won’t see anything else like it at the fringe. Challenge yourself to something new…

Although described as a comedy (which to be fair it is) Luisa’s show will make you want to join the revolution and take down the government. Armed with her beautiful Bernese mountain dog, Luisa is here to tell you where YOUR money is being spent by the government. It would be so easy to make this show boring, and for it to become a lecture, but thankfully Luisa’s bright energy and witty jokes makes you shut up and listen. Her personal story and her clear research will make you feel safe in the knowledge that she knows what she’s talking about. This show is great for the woke and unaware alike, or if you just like dogs.

A witty and hilarious piece where audiences feel involved without the fear of forced participation. Although frantic in his manner, Mark’s communication with the audience feels natural and present. It’s almost like the material hasn’t been written and prepared beforehand, but we as an audience are experiencing a real conversation with him and having a peek into the inner workings of his mind. Although he can be frantic and have a tendency to leave a point hanging, this is part of the charm and you leave with a smile on your face anyway.

I’ll be here with the reviews in only a couple of days!

I would recommend that audiences see this show purely because of the remarkable technical finesse.