Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

A whirlwind tour through the short and fatal career of a 13^th century nun destined for the stake, Bebe Cave’s new show is propelled by a tour de force of comic character acting.

The charming cardboard sets and costumes are instantly reminiscent of sister Jessie Cave’s work, but Bebe has put together something as fast-paced and spoofy as the Naked Gun, rammed with gags and performed at a breathless pace that makes the hour in the JackDome’s restrictive seats fly by.

Protagonist Bethilda Bigbum is despairing of her future after a scroll through medieval Tinder nets her nothing but tapestries of idiots and softbois. Kicked to the curb by an overly sensitive Glaswegian Galahad, salvation arrives in the form of a sassy, confident nun modelled after Supernanny Jo Frost, who whisks her away to a new life as a bride of Christ.

In the nunnery, Cave’s Bethilda meets a group of likeminded oddball women who’ve found spiritual and sexual satisfaction in the arms of Jesus, but as we know from the opening stake-burning ([record scratch] ‘I bet you’re wondering how I got here’) this marital bliss is not meant to last.

You can tell Cave has training (and success) as an actor, because her voice and character work is impeccable. There are a couple of dozen characters in Christbride, and minimal costume changes, but all of them are totally distinct and for the most part original. 

A flash forward to a TV historian talking about the lives of medieval women is emblematic. The obvious choice would have been to make him a dusty British academic in the vein of Simon Schama, but Cave puts the show on Australian TV instead and has it hosted by a character who’s an homage to weirdo politician Bob Katter. It’s a great example of how you can take just one more step away from the obvious and your show becomes 100 pre cent more surprising and engaging.

Not that Cave would have any issues engaging the audience, even on her worst day. Grinning maniacally, cracking herself up, spinning through skits and costumes and clearly having an incredible time on stage, her joy and her goofy sense of humour are totally infectious.

• Chortle’s coverage of sketch and multi-character acts at the Edinburgh Fringe is supported by (but not influenced by) the Seven Dials Playhouse. Read more

Review date: 17 Aug 2025
Reviewed by: Tim Harding
Reviewed at: Pleasance Dome