Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Three-minute samples of Edinburgh shows? What a brilliant idea! (Unrelated fact: Chortle’s Fast Fringe is on at 6.30pm at  Pleasance Dome daily)

The format sounds like a simple but inspired way of presenting random sketches, especially when Abby Wambaugh starts with a brilliantly absurd impersonation of a vacuum cleaner, jokingly suggesting this skit could surely be expanded to a full hour.

However, this show is far more ambitious than that, as the comic explores her non-binary gender identity, her role as a mother, and even her miscarriage in a cleverly interlinked series of scenes, all tonally different to keep things interesting. Wambaugh’s 11-year-old daughter likens the show – which was directed by Lara Ricote – to a patchwork quilt, and that makes sense. 

The American comic, now living in Denmark, rattles through different styles, including classic stand-up, mime, prop comedy, audience participation, puppetry, and storytelling in the style of acclaimed New York night The Moth. One minute, we are playing a silly Scare The Banana game, the next listening to an erudite David Sedaris-style essay reading (which she astutely mocks), each scene repressing a different chapter of Wambaugh’s life.

Even through the daft concepts and different personas, the talented comedian relates to the audience as a warm and engaging personality, vulnerable when needed but always in full control. Ditto her pin-sharp performance, which hits each comic beat perfectly. 

The show boasts such a good-natured spirit that (most) audience members are happy to get on stage to play mime-basketball or show off their parkour talents, while making a connection that means Wambaugh’s more sombre moments hit home harder.

But she is keen not to fixate on just the bad moments. There are more patches to life’s quilt, and so many of them are joyous. Including the hour you just spent with this charming and inventive comedian. 

Review date: 20 Aug 2024
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Pleasance Courtyard