one4review | On 10, Aug 2024

They meet you at the door with a friendly ‘Hi I’m Abby’, which sets the tone of the hour we’re about to spend together. One that is relaxed and warm with minimal barrier between the audience and performer. It feels more like a team sport than a solo hour and on the night I attend we’re all game.

As advertised this is 17 shows in one which means roughly every 3 minutes the show will take a turn in style. From a meditation, to a moth style storytelling show, games culminating in a musical grand finale (Abby also has a beautiful voice). Though this isn’t just a series of gimmicks and the different show ‘beginnings’ are really a series of attempts to try and find the language to talk about something that is difficult. This smorgasbord of ideas builds into a cohesive hour that has a gut punch delivered in the style of a David Sedaris essay show discussing the beginnings of her comedy career post the loss of a baby.

Don’t worry, it’s also really very funny! I think the funniest sections were the straight stand up about being non-binary, storytelling about finding out they were pregnant and an incredible impression of a vacuum cleaner. The section on the origins of the hashtag didn’t really land but there is so much to enjoy throughout. As they tell us in a guided meditation at the beginning of the show if there is anything you don’t like, don’t worry, something different will be happening in 3 minutes. The show runs over a little and I’m not sad about it. I think we’d all have a great night if it’d just kept going.

This is also a show about the nature of trying, giving something a go without knowing the outcome, which feels very much at the heart of what the Fringe should be. It is a devastating and uplifting show. You will laugh, you will cry, you may also have a go at Parkour or scaring a banana. You should definitely have a go at seeing this show.

****1/2
Reviewed by Sarah
Pleasance Courtyard – Attic
19.15 (1hr)
Until 25th Aug (not 12)