Abi Clarke: (Role) Model – Pleasance Courtyard Beneath

Abi Clarke rose to fame overnight via a TikTok video that went viral, ever since she has been climbing the social media and stand-up comedy ladder, but with all this new found fame she is left with one major dilemma: does this mean that she should have to be a role model now too?

In this rather funny stand-up comedy show Clarke addresses what it means to be a stereo typical “role model”, the limitations to being an influencer by trade and pressures that we women put on ourselves in this day and age. We learn about how fame has changed her as a person and question if one can truly be a role model when their favourite TV moments are those of pretty girls getting their hair chopped off on American’s Next Top model.

Abi is a natural performer, her energy is infectious and she is just a really easy to like person (despite some of the things she says), the moment she takes to the stage you feel like you are in the presence  of a friend rather than a total stranger. By friend of course I am referring to that one chaotic gremlin friend we all have that says exactly what you yourself are too afraid to say ,but aren’t those friends the best? It is established from the very beginning that the show is not made for “good people” and some jokes can tow the line of risky at times, but cleverly never surpass it. This being said this is not a show for the easily offended.

The set flows well, linking from stories of family and bed sheets to cases of severe schadenfreude and a tally chart of how many evil opinions Clarke is willing to admit to. They all carefully allow for Clarke to go off on tangents whilst still tethering herself back to her base material. The jokes are funny, and relatable and Clarke’s delivery  never misses the mark. Tech is simple but effective with a projector adding a nice personal touch. Overall this is a really solid show and worth adding to your Fringe line up, after all in the coming years it may be a lot harder to source tickets to see her, I can see big things for this comedian.

Abi Clarke: (Role) Model plays every day until the 25^th august (excluding 12^th) 19:40 at Pleasance Courtyard Beneath. Buy Tickets at: Abi Clarke: (Role) Model | Comedy | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)

Reviewer: Beth Eltringham

Reviewed: 10^th August 2024

North West End UK Rating: