Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Think cabaret, rather than the comedy it is listed as, to set your expectations for what chanteuse Tina Del Twist’s show is going to be like.

For although the songbird is the creation of Australian comedy stalwart Wes Snelling and has evident comic traits, the main takeout is how strong and velvety her voice is as she serves up sincere renditions of soulful standards.

There’s a nice bit of awkward physical comedy up top as she emerges from a tent that’s been pitched on stage – and then tries to pack it away. But focus is not her forte… which may be something to do with the fishbowl of red wine she swigs from throughout the show.

Resplendent in a purple turban that makes her look like a seaside pier psychic, Ms Del Twist is a gently bewildered drunk, performing in one shoe as she misplaced the other, and unsure which city – which hemisphere, even – she is performing in. She’s prone to distractedly wandering off, which is something of a health and safety nightmare when on a 2ft stage. Thankfully, an alert stagehand is always ready to whisk the steps into place before she wine-walks into oblivion.

Audience interaction is destined for dead-ends as she cannot comprehend, or possibly hear, the response. So instead, she indulges in long, rambling monologues about staying in a caravan park, where she enjoys being alone but close to people. These are faithful portrayals of drunken conversation, unfortunately, as they have no direction or point.

But when the tight three-piece band strike up numbers such as Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy, Eric Carmen’s All By Myself, and Three Dog Night’s One Is The Loneliest Number, she is a woman transformed. Hypnotised by the music, her silky voice, with just a touch of gravel for texture, comes to the fore, and holds the audience rapt.

Come for the music, and the comedy is a delightful garnish. Come for the comedy, and you’ll wonder why you’re *only* getting garnish.

• Tina del Twist: Caravan in the Sky is on at Assembly Checkpoint at 8pm

Review date: 13 Aug 2022
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Assembly Checkpoint