one4review | On 15, Aug 2025

When Louise O’Toole gets into her stride, which she does about half way through the show, she’s an excellent performer with lots of funny and entertaining things to say. The crowd work at the start was somewhat strained, but that was due to, despite the excellent air con, an audience who’d wilted in the heat. The chats with the audience at the start, however reticent we were, are worth it, because Louise has a plan and you see what she’s done in the end.

The show draws on Louise’s experiences, her love life a rough theme and framework, with the 46A, gravestones and Labubus thrown in for good measure. She’s a warm and personable presence on stage, any performer/audience distance or airs or graces firmly dispensed with as she explained the tech issues (which didn’t impact on the show) and then welcomed herself to the stage. The show’s got rhythm and pace, and a variety of sources of funny – silly and crude and sweary – with a funny-mate-down-the-pub sort of delivery. Everything in the show swirls together and comes out in the wash with a final flourish. Louise is a great performer, and I can see her becoming an August stalwart.

Reviewed by Laura
17:20
Hoots @ The Apex (Hoot 5)
Until 24th (not 16th or 17th)