one4review | On 06, Aug 2019

In a packed room with insufficient ventilation, Sofie Hagen presents a ‘lighter’ and more ‘fun’ show about the vagaries of memory, and about dealing with trauma. From a slow start, where it didn’t even feel like we were moving for quite a while, the show suddenly picks up speed to emerge into numerous bits of denouement and the finale of the show. It might seem like everything is a bit mundane for the first two thirds, but it’s all necessary for the last third, and the sum total is the reason for Ms Hagen’s reputation as an excellent comedian.

The show (until the end) is minimal, just Ms Hagen on stage, telling stories, accompanied by an oscilloscope on a tablet, set up so the audience has a visual reference for how much we’re laughing. There’s a lot to laugh at in this show, though it’s not rolling in the aisles comedy. It’s also totally focussed on Sofie – there’s no specific audience interaction, and no other potential distractions – no AV to display the image under discussion, no complex sets, no props – just Ms Hagen, talking.

The comedy also is focussed on Sofie, offering up anecdotes of things that have happened, or she’s done, for our mutual amusement. There’s no self-flagellation in the show, no agonising over her past mistakes, just an acceptance that this is how her brain is, and aren’t the wonderfully silly things it does funny?

Great show from a great comedian.

Reviewed by Laura

Pleasance Dome
19:00 (not 12th).