one4review | On 15, Aug 2025

There are three broad themes in this show, and Edy Hurst has something interesting and pointed to say about all of them, as well as making a show that is coherent, silly and very good fun. As a performer Edy is explosive in energy, and often volume, meaning an intermittently functioning mic didn’t really matter. He gives his all to the performance, and by the evidence of the props and the plot, to the planning of it too.

For a starting point Edy takes the revelation that his ancestor is one of the Pendle witches, and through the show attempts to access his magical heritage. The show is well-constructed, with a fast-paced and chaotic delivery doing successfully concealing plot points and twists that have been planted in plain sight. Superficially it might suggest Edy’s a bit of a shambles as a performer – add also the evidence of the slapstick – and he does explain that sometimes it might look like that – but that’s definitely not the case. It’s not possible to deliver something this complex and detailed and be truly shambolic.

The pace of delivery means some words are a bit difficult to catch, but Edy’s enthusiasm and utter dedication to the show carry things though, and the important bits – like analysis of the witch trials – are succinct and well-argued. Edy also conveys a huge sense of his own enjoyment in performing, and brings that whimsy to the audience too (pat the ball!). An entertaining and well-constructed hour.

Reveiwed by Laura
Assembly Roxy (Downstairs)
14:20
Until 25th