BBC Three Comedy Marathon

At the Edinburgh Fringe 2012

More Nina Conti videos

CV

Nina Conti: Dolly Mixtures
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

It’s an excess baggage consignment that would have raised eyebrows at Australian customs: seven holdalls containing seven diverse foam puppets.

They represent Shakespeare’s seven ages of man, Nina Conti tells us, from her constant companion, Monkey, the ‘mewling and puking’ infant, to the ailing figure of her old philosophy professor in second childishness. There are some liberties taken with the Bard’s sequence – there are two ‘lover’ segments and the soldier becomes a dog – but it’s a useful enough framework for an episodic show.

Using Monk as the baby similarly seems a bit of a cheat, but this former Barry-winner’s fans would not forgive her if the foul-mouthed simian were not to make an appearance. He helps set the scene with some mild comedy-club-style ‘And what do you do?’ banter that’s perfunctory, but limbers the audience up for the participation ahead.

Childhood is represented by her eight-year-old daughter – a clear projection of her younger self – that allows her to continue to explore her favourite theme of the ventriloquist’s split psyche, and ends with a brutal song that’s one of the stand-out set pieces of the hour. Two of the others involve audience members becoming the puppets, using devices that are not entirely new to ventriloquism, but are executed with charm and wit – and the good sportsmanship of her volunteers.

As she moves away from dependence on good old Monk, other new puppets include her mild-mannered yet deliciously cutting Edinburgh gran; and the pitbull with an aggressive reputation but a voice that’s more Miranda than Rambo. The canine’s odd verbal tics of crying out for a lost brother – or a biscuit – hints at a dark back story.

Despite the new characters, there’s still a heavy dependence on her favourite joke of revealing the artifice, which is used a little too often when characters flunk their lines, say something inappropriate, or prompt an interaction with an audience member who then addresses the doll, not the woman working it.

But in other areas, Conti retains her inventiveness and her eye for a memorable finale (the sight of her being carried around in a cage by a giant monkey from a few shows back is unforgettable). This time around she takes Shakespeare’s description of the end of our lives ‘sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything’ rather literally, and messily, to draw a satisfying show to a satisfying close.

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3

I think Nina is brilliant, one of the most intelligent comics working today, its nice to have to switch your brain on occasionally. I accept that not everyone finds her funny (hey that's comedy) but I do.

Paul, March 2006

Has the Monkey got its hand up Nina's arse? That's the only excuse I can think of for such a twee and feeble act. Ventriloquism should have died out with Nookie Bear and Orville the Duck. Maybe she'd be better off following in her old man Tom's footsteps as an actor, and leave the comedy to those who can write and perform it Lisa 29.03.05

Lisa, March 2005

I think Nina is one of the funniest acts on the circuit. Laughing at her own material? maybe its part of the act... What would she be without the monkey? We have all realised that she provides the monkey's voice.. haven't we? Sheesh! Its nice to see someone trying a different act - and succeeding Richard 08.03.05

Richard, March 2005

Saw Nina and Monkey on The Comedy Store at the weekend and she's as funny as I remember her being when I first saw her win the BBC New Comedy Award in 2002. She's good because she's self-depracating. Making monkey know what he is (a ventriloquist doll) is a great twist. Brilliant. Steve from Catford 07.03.05

Steve from Catford, March 2005

Nina Conti is superb; she plays to her attributes perfectly. The shy and unsure nervous comic routine fits perfectly with her appearance and is then completely blow out of the water by the foul mouthed monkey. It's comic genius. James Croome 03.03.05

James Croome, March 2005

I saw Nina Conti on the Comedy Store. I found her different from a lot of other comedians simply shouting their jokes. She remains humble and coy whilst monk contributes filth. An excellent contrast. Excellent monkey voice, too. Robert Millingmamon 31.01.05

Robert Millingmamon, January 2005

Saw Nina recently on The Comedy Store and I laughed so hard my sides ached! We all remember ventriloquists such as Roger de Courcey and Keith Harris, but Nina is the new breed, appealing to us adults that enjoyed ventriloquists acts back in the day. I can't wait to see more of Nina and Monkey in the future, her material is pure brilliance and I love the way she laughs at her own jokes. Keep up the great work Nina, no doubt you'll have your own prime time show in a few years. Jason from Bristol 27.01.05

Jason from Bristol, January 2005

Saw Nina on Comedy Store this week and agree with soime of the comments already made BUT a fabulous act that I am sure will get better. Les Evans 13.01.05

Les Evans, January 2005

Skip to page: 1 | 2 | 3