one4review | On 21, Aug 2022

This show lures you in with hilarious stories about Lucy’s wedding – how she met her husband, the nature of their relationship, buying wedding dresses, the kind of day it might be – but once it’s grabbed you, also has an unexpected and shrewd amount to say about disentangling ideas of beauty from weight. Her stories – sometimes aided by video and photos – are hilarious (I particularly enjoyed the lockdown haircut), and her comments about body image and how fat people are viewed are informed, heartfelt, and entirely correct.

Ms Frederick is tall, even in her flats, and has a beguiling air of competence about her. She generates an immediate rapport with the audience, and cements it with her explanation of the comedy contract: the audience laughs at funny things, and the performer does more funny. We signed and she delivered: about half of the small audience were in stitches, and the rest seemed to be having a good time too. Ms Frederick is a natural performer – in all areas of her life, she tells us – but certainly on stage, where her stories are well-crafted and excellently delivered, enhanced by a keen eye for the use of choice and appropriate swear-words.

The show has great pace and structure, with a coherent premise holding everything together, and even some down-time scheduled in to recuperate from laughing. Ms Frederick is an excellent comic and this is a great hour.

Reveiwed by Laura

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose
15:40