one4review | On 22, Aug 2026

Australian Edinburgh resident Annabelle James brings her debut hour to the Fringe, and at its heart, it’s a show about the journey.
Celebrating her second anniversary of moving, it’s pretty obvious Scotland isn’t as the brochure advertised: from the culture shock of finding accommodation to the hell of “flatfishing”, the challenges of making friends, and worryingly developing a healthy dose of paranoia about her boyfriend. Her food cravings/fetish rate is terrific too and relatable fun. However, where she is at her strongest and excels is in ditching the Emily in Paris Fringe fare, drawing on her experiences working in hospitality for a large soft-drinks manufacturer.
James on stage is friendly, personable, and the large, young crowd is buying what she is preaching. But this still feels like a trailer. She will have something special when she irons out the threads and gives the show a tighter narrative.
Overall, though, it’s a spirited, funny and engaging hour that shows plenty of laughs and shows James is heading in the right direction.
***
Reviewed by Steve H
18.20 to 19.20
Just The Spare Room at Just The Tonic at The Caves
Until 30th August