Angela Barnes has gradually been moving up the stand-up ranks in recent months, making an impression on radio and TV shows such as Mock The Week. Her short Latitude set, partly greatest hits but maybe also a taster for her next Edinburgh show, confirmed that she is an increasingly formidable performer.
On the surface there is nothing that makes her stand out. A big chunk of her material here was about turning forty, not having children and nostalgia for growing up in the scabby-kneed 1970s and 1980s. But she delivers it with confidence and intelligence and not surprisingly went down very well. And by the way, not everyone at Latitude gets an easy ride from the nice middle class crowd. I saw a comedian on the same day die a very painful public death onstage - not heckled, just ignored, which is even worse.
Barnes is very good at pinpointing the things in life that really matter and the things in life that are frankly ridiculous. She doesn't have a stupid bucket list, she explained, she hates admin, she would rather just get on with life. She might be approaching middle age but she still wonders if she can consider herself to be a real adult. She thought she'd have moved on to red wine by now but her favourite tipple is still alcopops. There are some great lines in her set worthy of Victoria Wood or Linda Smith.
This is very much a prime example of enjoyably relatable humour, whether it is talking about house buying, trying to get fit or, inevitably, Brexit. Her line on the latter got such a resounding cheer that it drowned out the sound of whatever band was chugging out its latest riff in the distance on another stage.
It's not easy doing Latitude in the daytime. If it isn't people wandering around in front of the stage or ignoring you it's the noise bleed from other events going on. But Barnes certainly made it look easy.
Angela Barnes: Rose-Tinted is at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 1 - 26. Tickets here.
