From feminism to changing ideals of masculinity

Masculinity is in crisis, we’re often told, as the certainties of male-structured society fall away and expectations of behaviour become less concrete. And treating women as equals is so very confusing. Luckily comedy is on hand to help in these changing times, with these ten shows addressing modern masculinity and how feminism is smashing the old order.

Liam Withnail: Homeboy

His show blurb says it all: ‘The time of the straight white male is over. Where does that leave the straight white men?’ After personal shows about giving up drinking, love and immigration, this stalwart of the Scottish stand-up circuit takes on an even bigger issue. Monkey Barrel, 17:00

Alistair Williams: Great White Male

Another straight white male comic mulling on ‘how problematic it is to be a white man in the UK’. Accomplished stand-up Alistair Williams, who was nominated for an Amused Moose award last year, promises the ‘brutal truth’ on race and gender. Just the Tonic at The Caves, 17:25. He’s put the first ten minutes online already… although it concentrates on Britain’s history rather than gender roles:

Natalie Palamides

We mentioned Natalie Palamides in one of last week’s preview features, but think she deserves a second nod, as her creation Nate looks set to be one of the talking points of the Fringe. The American comedian behind last year’s Laid slaps on a luxuriant moustache to create her alter-ego of an unreconstructed but ‘sweet’ douchebag struggling to come to terms with the changing expectations of masculinity. Pleasance Courtyard, 18:00

Holt and Talbot: Mansplaining Feminism

In this double act from Rosie Holt and Christian Talbot, Rosie is unable to grasp some of the concepts of feminism. But luckily her friend is here to mansplain… Laughing Horse @ City Cafe.

The Lost Matriarch 2

This surreal sketch show from Helen Betty Knott, Roísín Bevan and Cassie Symes. imagines a world where women are ‘fasculine’ and men are ‘meminine’: Ladies dominate building sites, pay for lap dances and give their daughters guns to play with. But men are fed up with paying more for a haircut, they want change…TheSpace on North Bridge, 19:20

Henry Ginsberg

Awkward, insecure, neurotic and self-loathing, Henry Ginsberg admits he’s ‘probably not what you imagine when you think of a "real man"’. And in Molesting The Corpse of Traditional Masculinity Since 1987, a reboot of a show he brought to last year’s Fringe, he sets out to explore toxic masculinity, sexual shame and loneliness. Oh, and spunk. Laughing Horse @ Harry’s Southside, 19:30

Artcoholic

Muchachico is the drag king alter-ego of absurdist stand-up Isa Bonachera, a Spaniard whose only desire is to become the greatest artist of his generation. And because he’s a man he’s definitely got a head start given the scarcity of great female artists acknowledged by history. Each day he’ll paint live on stage, while talking about gender, self-awareness and bad art. Just the Tonic at The Caves, 14:40

What the... Feminist?!

This group of recent drama school graduates offer an all-singing, all-dancing sketch show revue based around everyday sexism, from cat-calling to whether ‘feminism’ is still a dirty word, as well as modern expectations of masculinity. TheSpace on the Mile, 22:30 August 3 to 13

Men With Coconuts: Improvised Bond

We could have put this improv group on our Coat-tales Comedy round-up last week since they improvise a new James Bond film every show. But as well as villains, gadgets, femme fatales, the Scottish-based five-piece also promise ‘sobering reflections on masculinity’ as 007 tries to move with the times. Subway, 15:45

Fringe Wives Club: Glittery Clittery

Aussie cabaret and comedy performers Tessa Walters, Rowena Hutson and Victoria Falconer-Pritchard, of East End Cabaret fame, have created this energetic ‘feminist disco’ of a show, pictured, which scooped an award at this year’s Adelaide Fringe. They call their Luisa Omielan-style mix of glitter and social conscious ‘glamtivism’. We say they put the ‘beat’ into ‘beat the patriarchy’. Assembly Roxy, 20:50

Published: 24 Jul 2018