Susan Harrison's sixth solo show sees her mixing character comedy with sketches and even a little improv, which she does regularly as a member of the award-winning Showstoppers troupe. It's a great showcase for her various talents.
The show starts before you've even sat down, with Harrison playing one of those unpaid late middle-aged ushers that you get at places like the Tate Modern these days. She is helping everyone to their seats, finding out where you've come from and what you do. Thank gawd she didn't ask me...
And then, after stuffing some marshmallows into her cheeks we are off, with Harrison onstage as a real-life Sindy. Her low-status cut-price doll tries not to be downhearted, even if she is only a cheap British version of Barbie. Life has its occasional overwhelming moments and when they happen she pulls her own head off.
The humour sways from the relatable and observational to the more surreal. Her woman who has swallowed a small girl in a well is at the more surreal end of proceedings. Who would have thought that you'd be going about your everyday business only to find you've accidentally swallowed a small girl in a well. It's probably the high point of the show, and Harrison shows off her improv skills taking questions from the audience.
Another highlight is her moody Panda. I don't know if this was planned before Oasis pitched up in the city for their reunion tour but it has the accent and attitude of Liam Gallagher ("I like fooking partying") if a slightly less active sex life.
Harrison is a real chameleon, doing quick costume changes by pulling items from a clothes rail and switching characters in seconds, playing young, middle-aged, old or nutty new age influencer. It's a terrific skill to have.
Sometimes the writing (her writing partner is fellow comic Lucy Trodd) could be stronger, but what Harrison lacks in nuance she more than makes up for in amiability. The audience instantly warmed to her and were happy to chip in when invited.
Character shows can often meander a little, but towards the end as well as introducing us to a bonecrunching contortionist Harrison revisits earlier creations and rounds off their stories, inserting some inventive neat twists into the mix.
It didn't exactly make me so overwhelmed I wanted to pull my head off, but I did come away with a nice warm, fuzzy feeling. Should Susan Harrison still be doing this? Most certainly.
Read more reviews here.
Read an interview with Susan Harrison here.
Until August 24. Buy tickets here.
Picture by Matt Stronge
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