Vegan Song

As Loretta Maine

More Pippa Evans videos

Pippa Evans studied drama and theatre arts at Birmingham university, before turning to stand-up and improv. She was chosen by the Pleasance Edinburgh to perform in The 2006 Comedy Reserve, was runner-up in the 2008 Hackney Empire new act final, and a finalist in Funny Women the same year. She has been a regular improv performer with Improvedy and The Scratch Players.

She made her Edinburgh debut in 2008 with Pippa Evans And Other Lonely People, which was nominated for the if.comedy best newcomer prize.

Pippa Evans: Your Evening's Entertainment - Fringe 2009
Live Review

She doesn't care much for light and shade, but if you're looking for comic grotesques, Pippa Evans is your girl. After an if.comedy award-nominated debut last year, the 26-year-old returns to showcase another clutch of misfits and losers.

Julie Mansize is in charge of the post-conference corporate entertainment that has brought the audience here. She was formerly half of the lounge duo Mansize & Mansize with her husband Frank, but he recently died in suspicious circumstances. While Julie's bared teeth and glassy stare say 'the show must go on', her every jazz hand and show tune drips with an ill-concealed bitterness at having wasted so much of her life in a supporting role.

Previous creation Amangela Toolhardy returns as Julie's daughter, who is an audience liaision officer for the Pleasance. A character that, in her breathless, jerky speech and awkward mannerisms owes a debt to Jo Neary, she has been tasked with quizzing everyone about their theatre-going habits, something she will be reimbursed for ‘in kindness... and in biscuits.’

A Julie fanatic joins the front row, sharing the sheaf of drawings he's made of her since the police banned him from taking photos, along with his hopes that he can give her his gift of an egg. Then there's another appearance from Evans's most convincing character, country singer Loretta Lynn, who's hungover and as sweetly psychotic as ever as she showcases tracks from new album, I'm Not Drunk, I Just Need To Talk To You.

They are a pleasingly unsavoury bunch, at times, but a little too much so. Spread among more subtle creations, Evans's freaks might be brought into relief. As it is, everyone's a bit of a nutter except the pianist and he only escapes because he's played by a different person.

This is only Evans's second show, however, and there's enough skill on display here to suggest she's going to keep getting better.

Brilliant. saw her music hall gig at the canal cafe recently and she held it together seamlessly. All she needs is the right vehicle and she'll do well. one to watch, in every way.

james, March 2010

It was a good hour overall - as with all musical comedy a few songs that should have just stopped with the first punchline. Lorretta Maine was the highlight but the thread of Julie trying to keep her meat sponsor just about worked. When it worked it was hilarious - the rest of the time it was good enough to make you want to wait for the next killer song / line. Meat bingo might catch on too

Andy Barr, August 2009

We saw her do a set at the 99 club in Islington and thought she was excellent – really loved her songs - they were hilarious – completely fooled everyone that she was an American! Following week heard her on ‘4 stands up’ on Radio Four! Again really good.

Sarah, London, May 2009

Dreadful; her "Loretta Maine" character simply isn't good enough to be heard in public - dreadfully unfunny and poorly written songs, duff guitar playing, and this has all been done before and so much better. One of those people who became a comic because it was what they were least bad at. Avoid.

Dan, London, May 2009

I have seen Pippa Evans twice now and both times she has been brilliant. The first time was at the Proud gallery where she more than held her own amongst the likes of Daniel Kitson and Tim Minchin. I also went to see her at the Soho theatre doing her Edinburgh show. Again she was fantastic - totally brought the house down and the audience loved it. Brilliant stuff!!

Steve Gordon, March 2009

Awkward, self conscious and distinctly unfunny. Don't know if i saw her on a particularly dire night, but was embarrassed by how badly she was received.

jess levine, March 2009

Breathtakingly talented. I foresee no obstacles to reaching the very top.

Paul Sinha, December 2008