Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

Sarah Roberts has been living her life as performance art ever since (and possibly long before) she was mysteriously followed on Instagram by Paul Mescal.

This rising star tells us up top that she grew up with an underbite, which led to bullying from boys on the bus and an eventual recommendation of surgical intervention from her doctor, by which point she was more than willing to go under the knife. 

Growing up with people constantly telling her what she looked like has given her access to her stage persona in a way – sly but superficial, she claims her main interest is in making sure we find her both hot and talented.

Her presence is compelling. Poised and sphinxlike, the only break in the façade is when she dabs her nose with a tissue, apparently stemming from a real-life allergy to light set off by the stage lights. ‘Isn’t that the most feminine, dainty, gorgeous thing you’ve ever heard?’ she purrs.

Having established herself clearly in our minds, her best moments come as she punctures that illusion, with very funny routines about being the reincarnation of Henry VIII and a completely mortifying story about the first time she got fingered. 

Despite initial impressions, she’s more than willing to make herself the butt of the joke, and has found a way to talk about some heavy issues with a cute flourish, parodying the version of herself who used to seek male attention. I loved the absurd pathos of a young Roberts’s first brush with anxiety as well: going on hunger strike when she discovered volcanoes were real, thinking that if she starved herself to death then they couldn’t get her.

The aircraft only starts wobbling right before it hits the runway – a nice ramp up towards her big finale is interrupted a few too many times as Roberts returns to check in on points made earlier, and the show stops building effectively even while the lines remain strong. It shouldn’t dent your enjoyment of an arch and charismatic debut.

Review date: 23 Aug 2024
Reviewed by: Tim Harding
Reviewed at: Assembly George Square