one4review | On 15, Aug 2026

On entering 10 Dome for Amy Annette’s show, you’re greeted by the sound of a remixed version of Jolene by Dolly Parton and an image of the comedian herself recreating the Jolene album cover. This picture is part of a larger set decoration featuring a vanity mirror, make-up, silk scarves and clothes. It soon becomes clear that all of this is perfectly designed to set the audience up for the content of the show.

Annette covers a lot of ground in the space of an hour, she is fast-talking and affable with a gossipy delivery at times; especially as she begins the show with bizarre celebrity stories and chastises the audience when they don’t respond with the appropriate level of bewilderment.
The crux of the show is about beauty standards, or perhaps more accurately ‘hotness standards’, as she terms it. A lot of this conversation centres around the prevalence of cosmetic procedures and technology’s growing role in informing women’s relationship with their image. Most women with any social media account are likely also aware of how contentious this matter can be, with critical observations of the cosmetic industry often being perceived as criticisms of the women who participate. Annette’s comedy is successful in pointing out the absurdities without denigration, this balance partly achieved through her recognition and admission of her own particular vanity ritual involving chin hairs, Jolen creme bleach and her iPhone camera.

It is surely a comedy niche to be able to reference Ru Paul’s fracking scandal, John Berger’s *Ways of Seeing*, technofeudalism and feminist theory in a stand-up show, and all the more impressive to make it witty and playful whilst still maintaining a thoughtful exploration on beauty and hotness. Annette is such a joyful and engaging performer who relates so naturally to the crowd that the end of the hour seems to come impossibly quick. Judging by the audience reception, I reckon all of us would have happily stayed for longer.

4 stars ****
Reviewed by Niamh
10 Dome at Pleasance Dome
Until 30th August
17:30 – 18:30