Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

At the start of 2020, Lauren Pattison thought she had it all, and then it fell apart. The break-up of a relationship, the abrupt cancellation of touring because of Covid and moving back home to Newcastle form the backdrop of this strong return to stand-up. There are many lessons to take from this show, with resilience, hard graft and holding on to your dreams high on the list.

Pattison paints a vivid picture of home life in Newcastle and of her pragmatism in making the best out of a bad situation. Choice routines contrasting middle-class nepotism with working-class nepotism and about the differences between being a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ feminist hit the mark.

Pattison might have swapped stand-up for the supermarket tills during lockdown, but it didn’t blunt her ability to find the comedy in the situation. She also describes surreal experiences with seeing old school friends whose lives had moved on in different ways – all while keeping her eye on the prize of regaining her independence.

Another strand focuses on Pattison’s former life in London, her desire to fit in, and feeling the need to impress people and adapt in the face of appalling snobbery and rejection. Class is a recurring topic and Pattison tackles it with honesty and clarity. Subplots from water slides to WhatsApp groups serve to support the overall narrative.

Pattison doesn’t directly engage with the audience, but that proves no barrier. This a big-hearted show with big laughs, plenty of surprises and enough twists and turns to keep the packed room hanging onto every word. Pattison offers a fresh, authentic take on highly relatable subject matter, all wrapped up in being proud of who she is, where she comes from, and where she feels most at home.

• Lauren Pattison: It Is What It Is is on at Monkey Barrel at 12.30pm.

Review date: 22 Aug 2022
Reviewed by: Matt Carwardine-Palmer
Reviewed at: Monkey Barrel Comedy Club