A twenty something New Yorker is painfully shy. On first seeing us, she struggles to get a word out. She holds a set of crib cards to help her through what is clearly an ordeal. The shyness affects her physicality, too. Although she’s standing, she curls up as if she’s trying to make herself as small and insignificant as possible, hoping that no-one will notice her.
Gradually shy girl relaxes. She welcomes us to her apartment and calls us ‘Legends’. She aspires to be one, too. Legends are people who are not shy, thus cool.
Shy girl doesn’t have any real friends, but lots of imaginary ones. It turns out that we in the audience are her imaginary friends, too. And she’s using us to rehearse for the arrival of some real Legends who she’s invited to dinner.
This is a hugely entertaining show. Isabel Renner is an engaging actor who skillfully extracts every ounce of comedy from her own wonderful script. She grabs our attention from the start, is a superb raconteur, and goes from one hilarious anecdote to another in an exciting comedic rollercoaster, expertly directed by Cameron King.
All good comedy is rooted in reality, and Renner’s characterisation of shy girl is truthful and believable. We are invited to laugh with shy girl, not at her. Whether you’re chronically shy, occasionally shy or never shy, you will surely enjoy this show.
Renner plays not only shy girl but all but one of the characters who come into her life. They include:
Memphis, her ‘hot’ and garrulous roommate who positively brims with confidence and loves talking about herself and her exciting sex life.
Shelly, shy girl’s therapist. Well she calls her her therapist, but she’s actually only 6 years old. Shy girl (who never tells us her name) is her baby sitter, but finds Shelley listens to her problems and makes her feel good.
Her mean bossat Chez Maxims, the French restaurant where shy girl works as a server.
Pino, her co-worker with whom she has her first sexual experiences. She doesn’t lose her virginity to him but does give him a ‘blowjob’. This is conveyed theatrically by a superbly choreographed, surreal and suggestive dance, accompanied by music, to convey the ecstasy of oral sex. This was the high spot of the show in more than one way and was greeted with gales of laughter with tears rolling down many cheeks. No wonder Pino’s so exhausted afterwards that he turned down shy girl’s offer to take her virginity.
A German gynaecologist called Dr Jurgen, consulted by shy girl because she thinks her vagina has been damaged by Pino’s roaming fingers. Dr Jurgen examines her and advises her to have sexual intercourse.
A sex therapist working for a company called ‘Wyld Woman’. She waxes lyrical about the joys of sex in spiritual language shy girl doesn’t understand. But basically, she’s also advising her to have sex.
A ‘British rock star’who dines at Chez Maxence. He tells her she’s beautiful and they have sex in the back office of the restaurant. At last shy girl is no longer a virgin.
All the characters were played by one actor until the end of the show when another actor, “SHAUNIE” (also responsible for mixing the music) played a cameo role – the DJ. Although her performance was good, it would have been more logical for Renner to play this character too.
The other characters Renner depicts are very funny, larger than life and teetering on the edge of caricature. In laughing at them we’re laughing with shy girl as she portrays these characters, always seen through her eyes.
Although it’s not suitable for children aged under 16, and a large part of the play is about sex, it’s not at all unseemly or crude, just sidesplittingly funny. So do book, even if you’re a prude!
A heartwarming comedy. Highly recommended.
Running until 25th August, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wyld-woman-the-legend-of-shy-girl
Reviewer: Tom Scott
Reviewed: 5th August 2024
North West End UK Rating: