Clare Plested: Vegas, Jesus And Me
Live Review

In previous years, Clare Plested has appeared at the Fringe as one half of Plested and Brown in prop-tastic, silly and enjoyable plays alongside Adam Brown. This year, though, Plested breaks through the forth wall and addresses us directly to tell of her wedding in Vegas to Jesus.

Well, not the real Jesus but her fella who looks a bit like Him – and is also pretty good with wood.

Perched on a stool with a glass in her hand, like a better-looking Dave Allen, Plested takes us through her story so far. From her Catholic upbringing, how she met her Jesus at school, lost her virginity to him and then at 30 decided it was time to get married. She plumped for Nevada's glitziest resort with nine bridesmaids decked out in Primark (it's the only way she could afford them all) and a musical fountain.

One of the over-riding qualities of this show is how simply amiable Plested is;she's wonderful company - the kind of woman you'd like to have a glass of wine with. Brought up in Watford to Irish parents she is the epitome of the down-to-earth good-time girl.

The laughs aren't likely to be guffaws, it has to be said, but there are some really nice lines here. In addition, her acting skills breathe life into the characters of her family and friends, particularly her rather reticent mother who has a fondness for greeting card jokes. Plested's impression of her opening a card with a 'banana dressed as a dog' on the front is particularly evocative.

Though obviously scripted, and indeed directed by Plested and Brown's regular director Amanda Wilsher, there's a great informality to this show. It's in part due to it being a preview (Plested endearingly refers to her notes on occasion) but the show's casual tine will surely continue throughout the run, as she offers around her box of wine and divulges information with a gossipy tone.

Overall it's a pleasure to spend time in Plested's company and her solo offering, though not full of big laughs, is a lovely one, with just the right touch of poignancy.