F E S T I VA L C O M E DY | Reviews
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KONSTANTIN KISIN: ORWELL THAT ENDS WELL A cheeky ode to free speech ●●●●● Konstantin Kisin attracted some attention towards the end of last year after refusing to sign a disclosure form for a student gig. The comic took exception at being asked to refrain from making any jokes around all manner of ‘isms’, tweeted about it and then went to bed. When Kisin awoke, he discovered that his evening’s activity had garnered a lot*2 of interest with the less enlightened – Piers Morgan and Fox News were among those media outlets who picked up on the story. At the risk of becoming a poster boy for those that love to complain about snowflakes, he was also dubbed a ‘soy boy’ by Katie Hopkins.
Let’s get this straight from the off: it’s not that Kisin wants to be able to insult all and sundry without remorse but that he vehemently defends free speech. It’s hardly surprising for someone whose grandfather was picked up by the KGB for privately criticising Russia’s involvement in Afghanistan. Kisin teases and pushes gently at boundaries with cheeky and crucially ironic jokes about his own Jewish heritage, his Ukrainian wife or Russia’s lax attitude to borders.
Fundamentally, he questions whether saying whatever you feel should be illegal and it is genuinely eye-opening to hear how many people have been arrested for hate speech. Kisin questions the notion that this country isn’t welcoming to immigrants and the concept of white privilege is challenged too. While this is based on his own experience and that many of us in the UK are welcoming of immigrants, at the same time the sections of hostility in society can’t be ignored. But surely sustaining a dialogue is better than simply shutting down for fear of causing offence or of being offended. When we stop talking, that’s when the trouble truly starts. (Marissa Burgess) n Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 26 Aug (not 13), 7pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).
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LUCY BEAUMONT: SPACE MAM Warm and lively return for Hull native ●●●●● TOM LENK IS TRASH A sassy 'trashy' treat ●●●●●
After a few years’ hiatus in which time she produced a whole new human being, Lucy Beaumont returns to the Fringe. The Hull native has been down to Surrey and all the way up again having moved back north, as well as spending time exploring her new role as a mum. Though her Yorkshire hometown features less than it did at the start of her career, it does make a reappearance.
Despite these life changes, there’s a truth to herself as this salt-of-the-earth, ordinary woman exudes an irresistible warmth. Though jocularly dressed up, she goes on to explore her post-natal depression, caused by the lack of an immediate bond with her child and the frustrations of sleep deprivation. Space Mam is very much an honest and frank portrait of motherhood. Beaumont’s big skill is capturing the poetry in the ordinary, especially evident in her depiction of her own Hullian mother where she beautifully evokes the nuances of her speech, and random, unselfconscious acts such as taking her bra off in the middle of a meal. Somehow, Beaumont also maintains an otherworldly
quality, at one point donning an alien mask to throw flying-saucer sweets to the crowd despite Professor Brian Cox once telling her that extra-terrestrials don’t exist. An excellent return. (Marissa Burgess) n Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug (not 12), 4.45pm, £12 (£11).
54 THE LIST FESTIVAL 7–14 Aug 2019
Fans of the addictive Instagram account of LA comedian Tom Lenk, who recreates red-carpet looks from celebs like Cardi B and Sandra Bullock using only garbage found lying about his house, are in for a treat with this live version. Lenk, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, has a passion for fashion, knocking up couture gowns from bin bags, plastic toys and bath towels, then posing in wigs or copycat hairdos made from pasta. He explains his philosophy through a Broadway number which morphs into ‘Trashdance’; he loves collecting trash and doesn’t understand the ‘joyless’ Marie Kondo approach. After delivering a pleasantly incoherent ‘Trash Talk’
about why the past is better than the future, he introduces his character Eileen, ‘America’s number one crafting sensation’. In this interactive bit, she teaches the audience to unwind and make jewellery from pipe cleaners while mumbling withering asides about their efforts under her breath.
He brings Tilda Swinton onstage via video, to time a #lenkslewksforless costume-making competition (a handy opportunity to plug his other Fringe show, Tilda Swinton Answers an Ad on Craigslist). Grounded but sassy, his warm, camp style is a joy. (Claire Sawers) n Assembly George Square, until 25 Aug (not 12), 6.35pm, £11–£12.50 (£10–£11.50).
NICK ELLERAY: BIG NICK ENERGY A perceptive portrait of middle age and wheelie suitcases ●●●●●
Part way through the show, Nick Elleray states that you can’t just claim wisdom these days from managing to stay alive; it’s what you do that matters. Indeed it is, but it’s also how you process that information and how much insight you can shine on to it. Elleray has that in abundance, providing him with a hugely perceptive take for a show that is a beautiful portrait of middle age. Taking the quote from former Australian PM
Malcolm Fraser that ‘life wasn’t meant to be easy’ as his way of dismissing many niggles, Elleray has come to terms with the fact that he has anger issues. He’s decided that he can probably change it, but it’s not going to be through meditation. Elleray also touches on wider issues felt by anyone who grew up in the western world during the 70s and 80s, and looks at how much the inherent toxic masculinity in society seeps into your world view: he chooses to take it all out on wheelie suitcases. Elsewhere there are brilliantly penned gags on the reason why John Lennon was the best Beatle plus a look at the positive aspects of a lie-down and mangoes. (Marissa Burgess) n Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, until 25 Aug (not 12), 12.45pm, donations at the venue.