one4review | On 18, Aug 2024

On entering Monkey Barrel 1 the overwhelming first impression was a monitor showing a mature woman’s face, who could have been, and turned out to be Sara Barron’s mother.
Barron originally from Chicago, has lived in the UK for 15 years with her husband and son, and she has pretty much got used to the change. She muses that she does miss parts of the trans-Atlantic life, but does she miss her mum, Lynn!
It comes to light that Sara’s mother is somewhat overpowering, dominates her dad, and makes every situation about her. Barron wonders if she might be taking after her parent.
A powerful performer with stage presence, she delivered anecdote and opinions on a host of relatable topics, podcasts, family arguments, children’s party, even down to bread eating, yet she can get a host of laughs from anything she utters, and her crowd work
I found it strange that the audience were ushered predominately to one side of her room, and she did play mostly to them, not ignoring the rest of us completely, however, was often seen more in profile than full face.
This is anything but a bad show, but having seen a couple of her previous offerings and enjoyed them, I was a little disappointed. However, the finale, was clever and very unexpected.
***1/2
Reviewed by Geoff
Monkey Barrel 1
16.45 to 17.45
Until 25th August (not 19th)