one4review | On 25, Aug 2024

One of the hits of Fringe 2023 was Bahookie, a delightful hour performed by one of Scottish comedy’s most sought after comics, Jay Lafferty. Playing to packed houses, and subsequently touring throughout the UK, it was a delightful way to spend an hour.
And it is back. Albeit for a very short run in 2024.
The show has changed a little, but it is as good and probably even more funny in the last twelve months.
Jay is a charismatic performer and a wicked writer of material, a top class ‘host’ of comedy gigs and obviously is an expert on crowd work. She interacts beautifully with her crowd, garnering laughs and information, making one and all feel comfortable and relaxed as she leads us through her material.
As life had ‘just begun’ for her, the desire to do something about her life and the way she was perceived by people and targeted advertising, saw her seek to improve herself, boot camps, personal trainers, taking up a new hobby, hence the pole front and centre, of learning pole dancing.
Along the way, Jay, often self-deprecating in style, talks of dream diaries, ‘spinny room’ syndrome, Scottish mums, hosting Cabaret gigs, her teenage angst, drunken internet purchases and her loss of innocence are amongst the topics that peppered with laughs and endearingly presented.
And then there is the pole! The recently acquired skills on this apparatus are given an airing and are even more accomplished than they were 12 months ago.
There are still a couple of opportunities to catch this show in Edinburgh, but the tour continues too, so don’t miss out.
**** 1/2

Reviewed by Geoff
Gilded Balloon Patter House The Other Yin
18.00 to 19.00
Until 26th August