Susan Calman: This Lady's Not for Turning Either

The muggy venue at the Underbelly is jam-packed as Susan Calman makes a rather understated entrance. This is not the start of the show, merely a preamble. Some very entertaining anecdotes preface the introduction, including the story of being Russell Brand’s support at a massive venue and being robbed of a big crowd reaction. As a result, she asks for, and subsequently receives, a stadium-style welcome, whereupon the show begins.

From the off it is obvious that we are in the presence of a masterful raconteur, taking her stories off on tangents before returning to complete them, never losing sight of the task at hand – to make people laugh. The crux of the show surrounds her recent nuptials where she wed, or “civil-partnered”, her long-time partner. She then launches into a list of nine reasons why no-one should marry her; a section full of personal, funny and keenly observed tales of cats, Prime Suspect and a long-standing argument over The West Wing as she works her way from nine to one.

Here we reach the impassioned close to this wonderful show as Calman, choking back tears, discusses the recent debate in Scotland on same-sex marriage. She is as passionate as she is funny, traits that in no small measure contribute to one of the most enjoyable and accomplished shows at this year’s Fringe.