4 stars
In 1900-Lisa-Skye, Lisa Skye delivers a playful performance loosely structured around stories from her time working for a phone dating agency.
Image courtesy of Lisa Skye
Bookmarking the story in a few different ways, with a handful of characters representing different aspects of herself—replete with loom-band facial hair—as well as occasional digging into the quote-driven lucky dip that is her collection of "Johns" from past work, Skye captivates her audience in trademark style.
She's clearly having an inordinate amount of fun with the show, and the moments when she breaks while considering where her train of thought is taking her, or ruminates on the suitability of a joke for the time slot, reveal a skilled professional who delights in delighting her audience.
Not just delighting, since Skye is amongst the most considerate performers on any lineup. Having created the Safety House Guide which aims to empower audiences to choose a show that won't make them the punchline of a joke, her shows are always safe spaces. Instead of being ordered to take up front and centre seating, the audience are asked to sit wherever they feel comfortable. It's a facet of Skye's shows that never fails to impress. This is not comedy driven by uncertainty, although there are a few points where you'll likely cringe at the material, in the best of ways.
It’s a show that elegantly reveals its depth, steadily and without forcing a tonal shift. Skye weaves a story made up of her generational position at the tail end of Gen-X, non-binary identity, mental health, and relationships, then invites the audience to engage however they may choose. This isn’t confronting by any means, choosing instead to lean into the vulnerability and presenting a warm, nurturing aspect of comedy that is often under-represented.
1900-Lisa-Skye isn't the tightest show you'll ever see, nor is it intending to be. The nature of some of the bookmarking devices is inherently unstructured. While this, and Skye's relaxed approach to performance, occasionally lead to inconsistent pacing it also allows some of the slow burn material to sink in to great effect.
Culminating in a finale that, through deft callbacks and one last taste of prop comedy, demonstrates Skye's performing prowess, 1900-Lisa-Skye is sure to have you in stitches even as your thoughts are being well and truly provoked.
Tickets available at TryBooking. 1900-Lisa-Skye runs until 12 January.
GLEN SEABROOK-BENSON