Ania Magliano: Forgive Me Father – Pleasance Courtyard

Magliano is moving up the roster at the Pleasance, last year she was in a container, today she is in a proper raked auditorium with 3x the capacity, and it is full. I see a real progression, a maturity, in her material, and her delivery. Last year she braided a lightweight tale about getting a haircut. This year she has knitted a gorgeous monologue, about life, forgiveness and moving on, as fine as the olive green waistcoat she wears: perhaps a bit baggy and saggy in places, but quirky, stylish and unique.

Magliano’s fresh face and natural colour choices, down to her russet cords, have led some to assume she is a Vegan, but as she explains, she left that dietary choice behind 12 years ago when she came out as bi-sexual. She is not a fussy eater anymore!

Magliano’s ‘nice girl’ wholesomeness is certainly part of her appeal, no roasting the front row here, but it’s certainly not the whole story. There is also a quickness of mind, an inventiveness and a cheekiness, and an absolute rule to make everything she says relatable to her audience. A master of observational comedy. Given the amount she talks about relationships and ‘women’s problems’ and emotions, she very thoughtfully makes up for this by giving the lads some facts about test cricket, football and snooker. Nice one.

Men need facts, Women need emotion. She knows it.

With a ‘proper’ beginning, middle and end this is a brilliantly crafted hour, where all the threads are drawn together at the hands of a master storyteller.

Reviewer: Greg Holstead

Reviewed: 6th August 2024

North West End UK Rating:

Running time – 1hr