Review by Steve Bennett

It’s either a sign of national insecurity, or just too many infuriating cases of mistaken identity, but almost every jobbing Canadian comic seems to have a joke emphasising that no, they are absolutely, positively not Americans.

Mahoney doesn’t just have one or two line sabout it, though, but a longish story, set in an Amsterdam swimming baths. It’s jaunty enough, and told with faultless professionalism, but in need of further embroidering to squeeze more laughs out of it. As it is, the segment is entertainingly diverting, but without bite.

Mahoney, who also performs as a street clown called Miss Tallulah, defines herself largely by her nationality, which is limiting, though when she moves off the topic of her Canadianism, the set is even less fruitful. Her routine about centenarians, for example, is rather woolly, and ends in a predictable way.

Yet she’s got a perky, confident delivery and engaging delivery, and a few of the more spontaneous ideas generated in the brief set Chortle saw could easily be knocked into good shape with the aid of a focused eye. But for the moment, appropriately enough for a street act, she seems happy enough to busk it.

Review date: 25 Jan 2010
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Comedy Stop