We have waited for years for this, no literally! More than two years ago we saw this clown on a mixed bill at the Monkey Barrel and said “we have to see this clowns next solo show”. It should have been simple, but then COVID became a thing and we had lockdown after lockdown – stand-up as we know it simply stopped. From a fan perspective that was bad, but from a performer perspective it was potentially career ending – this show is one clown’s story of that journey.

Our clown takes to the stage and begins, “For those of you in the front row please don’t worry, I’ve not made eye contact, and I’m not going to.” It’s hard to believe that anxiety can hit someone who’s job it is to stand in a spotlight, on a stage and tell jokes but that is exactly the situation for this clown. The outcome of this condition is actually quite surprising. If you don’t take the time to work the crowd and banter with the room then you have to write so much more material. And if you you need to keep the pace of delivery up in order to avoid interactions from the crowd, then you have to write so much more material. It’s pretty incredible to watch.

This is a rollercoaster of a show as our clown takes us through the ups, downs and loop-the-loops of lockdown life as someone whose career is dependent upon live performance. The idea behind a lot of brutally honest comedy is that “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry“, well Lauren manages to keep all of us in the audience (and herself) walking that tightrope for the entire hour. There is rejection, heartbreak, fighting spirit, desperation, hope and even a bit of classism – there is probably a brilliant rom-com script in here somewhere, something akin to ‘Sliding Doors‘ but oh so much better!

Above all of that though, this show is incredibly heartwarming and deeply funny. The best way that I can end this piece is to say that we didn’t manage to see Sam Campbell’s award winning Edinburgh show BUT, if it is genuinely better than this, then that must be one hell of a show, because this was truly superb, and well worth the wait.

Clown Stars: * * * * *

@Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh

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