Rachel Fairburn @ Underbelly Bristo Square
Acerbic observation and bald confession combined in a sweet and sharp hour
At the heart of Rachel Fairburn’s set is the aftermath of a painful breakup which left her life in disarray and her self-worth in shreds. But don’t be afraid there’s no laughs here: Fairburn loops the whole thing together tightly enough and you're on her side before things take a darker turn.
She keeps you feeling that she could well be talking to you over pizza, as well as a comedy hour, and this contrasts well with her acid observations about homeware tat, and the people who own it, and the frank disclosures of her (perceived) misdeeds, and the price she paid for them.
As she moves on to question the perceptions of acceptable misbehaviour for males and females and how we respond to distress in each, she raises some awkward but timely questions and manages to move seamlessly from a tear-jerking show to one which has the audience cackling wickedly, especially at an excellently done gallows moment. The Wolf at the Door is bright, brave and bitterly enjoyable.
Rachel Fairburn: The Wolf at the Door, Underbelly Bristo Square (Dexter), 1-27 Aug (not 13), 9:30pm, £6.50-11
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