Review by Corry Shaw

I hope Catie Wilkins’ mum never gets to watch her solo debut. Not because of the risque material, of which there is a sprinkling, but because Wilkins has painted her mother as some terrifying, angry ogre.

It is no wonder, then, that Wilkins is worried about turning into her parents. A universally accessible concept, which has often been covered before. Wilkins has obviously worked hard to create a structured show, but has suffered by admitting to contriving 'cliffhangers' and wrapping everything up neatly at the end. More experienced acts can achieve this in a smooth, unforced manner, but this attempt is a little more scripted and bumpy.

It is a valiant attempt, though, and despite feeling a little like it's been created to a 'how to write an Edinburgh show' template, there is some nice writing and we do feel like we are getting to know Wilkins over the hour.

She compares the love that children have for their parents with Stockholm Syndrome, and she builds a portrait of a family life that not many people would be jealous of. Her mum is an overbearing, angry woman who was a strict disciplinarian with no sense of fun. Her father, on the other hand, seems to play the inept hero, a fun dad who used to pander to his children’s requests but who is also prone to the typical embarrassing dad incidents, like sending out a Christmas family circular detailing his wife's bout of chronic diarrhoea.

Wilkins herself never quite felt like she fitted, and spent her childhood looking for ways to be accepted and find likeminded people. There are pleasant little tales of her attempts to become a cat, miserable holidays spent in Ireland looking at gravestones, and her mothers’ revenge tactics to find the man who ran over their family pet. These gently entertaining pieces sit uneasily next to some more graphic descriptions of her present relationship and sex life, a clash of styles that is jarring. The approaches feel at odds with each other and almost feel like they have come from the pens of different comedians.

But Wilkins is new to this, making beginners’ slips such as audibly slurping water into the mic from a bottle that's hard for her to reach, leaving her with her back to the audience for numerous pauses. There is a sense that she would benefit from some direction when it comes to delivery and stage presence, but that again may come naturally given time.

This is more of an amiable wander through an hour with plenty of gentle chuckles but no real belly laughs. There is promise here, the show is entertaining and but some more work and experience is needed before Wilkins fits in with the Fringe comedy family.

Review date: 15 Aug 2011
Reviewed by: Corry Shaw