Review by Steve Bennett

From the opening burlesque number, in which she strips down to her antique undergarments, this tiny ball of tireless enthusiasm simply celebrates human existence, free of any concept of embarrassment. The singing is far from note-perfect, the dancing faltering and the jokes often corny, but this is a show that transcends the usual rules of criticism.

She is not, as you might expect, an aging flapper clinging on to the only act she’s ever known, but an Ohio-born pensioner who led a perfectly conventional life until she took up stand-up five years ago. However, she’s certainly making up for lost time, prancing around a pub function room with a pink parasol, exuding a devil-may-care spirit women a quarter of her age would be envious of.

This show is an act of belated rebellion against the invisibility of older people, deriding the nursing-home mentality and celebrating the joys of Spandex and sparkle. Any stand-up, though providing her with this definite point of view, now plays second fiddle to the set-piece song-and-dance numbers.

It’s a quintessential fringe show, done for the sheer bliss of proud self-expression, not as any stepping stone to fame. Take it in that carefree spirit, and join in the fun…

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Brighton Fringe, May 2009

Review date: 1 Jan 2009
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett