Carmen Lynch @ Laughing Horse, Counting House
A refreshing hour in a small room
Carmen Lynch squeezes past people sitting on the floor to get to the front of her loft venue, an international comedian playing a glorified cupboard, but she seems unfazed by it all. In fact, the intimacy of the venue seems to allow some of her routines an extra level of bite, even though having such a friendly rapport with the front row also serves to lighten some of the more nihilistic tendencies of her bleakest punchlines.
With her sharp comic mind and impressive timing, Lynch skewers her own frailties and weaknesses – a segment about the pros and cons of being a light sleeper is a particular highlight. While a young New Yorker airing their multiple neuroses (and a refreshing hatred of cats) via an hour of well constructed stand-up might not be about to change the comedy world overnight, it's difficult to fault funny and Lynch certainly delivers.
Carmen Lynch: Lynched, Laughing Horse at The Counting House (Loft), until 27 Aug (not 15), 4:00pm, free