Comic Details

Nat Luurtsema

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Videos

Broken English

With Dan Antopolski


More Nat Luurtsema videos

Broken English
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Biography

Finalist in Funny Women 2007, very soon after she started performing comedy, she was nominated for best newcomer in the 2008 Chortle awards and was a finalist in the Laughing Horse new act competition the same year.

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Reviews

Jigsaw
Live Review

 rated 3/5
Jigsaw

The last time Dan Antopolski was in an Edinburgh sketch show, his co-stars were Lee Mack and Catherine Tate, so he would be forgiven if he thought he’d been left behind in the career stakes. For his second attempt at cracking it, Jigsaw, he’s joined up with up-and-comers Tom Craine and Nat Luurtsema.

And, my, does this Jigsaw have a lot of pieces. The emphasis is very much on the quickfire, with jokes zipping in and out at a breakneck speed. Other than pace, there’s no other unifying ethos of the show – one minute surreal, the next punny, then a sight gag, then maybe a more conventional sketch, but stripped back as much as possible.

Their efficiency is ruthless, though the fact it lacks a distinctive single voice means it’s hard to get a handle on where they are coming from. And the quality is as variable as the tone; some scenes get a quick chuckle, others are almost-painful ‘dad jokes’. The saving grace, of course, that the duds are over quickly.

Antopolski, especially, seems to revel in the cheesier aspects of the show – he seems to have the most childish sense of humour, and inhabits the more bewildered, dafter characters. Craine is the more level-headed everyman, while Luurtsema proves herself a useful sketch actress. But none really stick to any type, the script turns so fast that they barely have time to pop behind the black screen before they have to pop back out again, perhaps with some silly prop, for the next one.

It’s generally gently daft stuff, as family-friendly as a show that features a ghost testicle can be. Stand-out sketches include the hostage negotiator who’s winging it, the penguins who waddle on muttering to themselves at the start, and the obstetrician with a well-developed sense of gaydar. A couple of ideas recur, but generally this is a show that pushes forward rather than milking running gags.

It is – wouldn’t you know it – a bit hit and miss; but there are certainly enough decent moments for it be worth a punt.

Date of live review: Tuesday 9th Aug, '11
Review by Steve Bennett
Nat Luurtsema: In My Head I'm A Hero
Nat Luurtsema: In My Head I'm A Hero

Thursday 26th Aug, '10-
Superclump – Fringe 2009
Sunday 16th Aug, '09-
Nat Luurtsema : Original Review
Nat Luurtsema : Original Review

Monday 19th May, '08-
Laughing Horse New Act Final 2008
Laughing Horse New Act Final 2008

Show - Misc live shows -
Funny Women Final 2007
Trish Gant
Funny Women Final 2007

Show - Misc live shows -
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Comments

Opened on a very quiet night, some funny stuff but didn't have a massive amount of energy to get the crowd going.

Barry Golightly, October 2011


Saw Nat at S.l.i.c.c in St Leonards.They are a very reserved crowd but she was Very Funny and quite unique if not a little tragic.Her bit with the book for kids with no friends is lovely.

Adam, May 2010


An excellent comic. An engaging, charming, charismatic and intelligently witty woman who professionally delivers wonderfully twisted stories. Completely accessible. A joy to watch. Big laughs without the ego.

Cole Parker, January 2009


Without a shadow of a doubt the very best newcomer. Massive potential and an excellent show. Will be looking out for her next show.

David Noad, January 2008




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News
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Where can I see Nat Luurtsema next?

Where can I see Nat Luurtsema next?

20:45 - Thursday 9th Feb, '12
Venue: TJ Duffy's
Prices: £4 (£3 concs)
Comics:
Info:
Plus: Baranaby Slater, Duncan Hart, Nicholas Beaton, Alexander Bennet, Bobby Carroll
Show starts: 20:45 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
22:00 - Friday 17th Feb, '12
Venue: BAC
Prices: £12 (£10 concs)
Show: Jigsaw
Show starts: 22:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
19:30 - Saturday 18th Feb, '12
Venue: Woodhouse Eaves Village Hall
Prices: £8
Comics: Alan Seaman, Isy Suttie, Nat Luurtsema
Info: Plus Carl Jones
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
19:30 - Tuesday 21st Feb, '12
Venue: Green Note
Prices: £5
Comics: Carly Smallman, Nat Luurtsema
Info: Better Living Through Comedy. Plus: Fat Kitten Improv, John Kearns
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:45 - Friday 24th Feb, '12
Venue: Long Island Exchange
Prices: £5
Comics:
Info:
Plus: Bobby Carroll, Paul Duncan McGarrity
Show starts: 20:45 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
13:00~14:00 - Saturday 25th Feb, '12
Venue: Soho Theatre
Prices: £10 (£30 for four)
Comics: Dan Antopolski, Gerry Howell, Nat Luurtsema, Tom Craine, Tiernan Douieb (MC)
Info: ComedyClub4Kids. Suitable for ages 6+
Show starts: 13:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:30 - Monday 27th Feb, '12
Venue: Ku Bar
Prices: £7 (£5 concs)
Comics: Gary Colman, Jigsaw, Mary Bourke, Nathan Caton, Rosie Wilby, Sally-Anne Hayward, Simon Clayton, Susan Murray, Logan Murray (MC)
Info: The Fortnight Club. New material night
Show starts: 20:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:30 - Thursday 1st Mar, '12
Venue: Royal Albert Hall
Prices: Call for prices
Comics: Nat Luurtsema, Roisin Conaty
Show starts: 20:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Monday 5th Mar, '12
Venue: Set Up... Punchline
Prices: Free
Comics: Damian Kingsley, Gemma Whelan, Nat Luurtsema
Info: Plus: Ian Hawkins, Anthony Miller, Bobby Carroll, Stuart Laws
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:30 - Monday 26th Mar, '12
Venue: Ku Bar
Prices: £7 (£5 concs)
Comics: Charmian Hughes, Gary Colman, Jigsaw, Mandy Muden, Mary Bourke, Paddy Lennox, Simon Clayton, Susan Murray, Tony Tinman, Logan Murray (MC)
Info: The Fortnight Club. New material night
Show starts: 20:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Friday 20th Apr, '12
Venue: Porthcawl Grand Pavilion
Prices: Call for prices
Comics: James Acaster, Jared Hardy, Nat Luurtsema
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Wednesday 13th Jun, '12
Venue: Camden Head Camden
Prices: £3
Comics: Jigsaw
Info: A new material show called This is Actually One Of The Better Comedy Nights. Plus: Jamie Glassman
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
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Jigsaw

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