This was to be our first proper Edinburgh Fringe show in almost two years and I think we ticked every appropriate box – a cool quirky basement venue, an unpolished work-in-progress show and a clown that we had never seen live before but had heard really good things about.

The lights go down, the music drops and Fern Brady is announced to a level of applause that makes you forget that the crowd is socially distanced – our Fringe has begun.

Our clown appears on stage resplendent in all black – its actually her gym outfit (her words) because apparently she had a raspberry-based accident with her suitcase… this is work-in-progress at it’s finest.

The first half is confident and free-flowing, displaying the brash and blunt style that we had heard so much about. This is one honest clown – she puts that honesty down to her autism, which partly manifests itself by removing her ability to deliver platitudes (or lie). To some, this may be a blow of a medical diagnosis but in the hands of the right clown this is a frickin’ super power!

The tested topics include getting married sarcastically, the awkwardness of failed suicides (a savagely funny routine) and an excellent bit on how Cosmo really hasn’t ever done anything for feminism.

This was a madcap but thoroughly enjoyable set and we can’t wait to catch the full version of Autistic Bikini Queen when it’s ready to go.

Clown Stars: (-unrated-)

@ Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh