Stamptown Comedy Night
Ed Fringe 2023
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Ed Fringe 2023 -
Brace yourself and hold on tight ‘cause I have a confession to make: I’ve never seen Stamptown before. THEREFORE this first Stamptown of the Edinburger Fringe (Burger Burger) 2023 has taken my fucking innocence. And it didn’t hurt as much as I’d thought it would.
As a person whose usual comedy scene is queer mixed bill stuff - burlesque performers and outrageous drag queen MCs - I found myself feeling surprisingly at home among the comedy-clown-cabaret line-up the evening had to offer.
Zach Zucker (hot) as his clown alter ego Jack Tucker (hopeless) opens the show along with (I presume) classic Stamptown boys and antics. You can feel the ego radiating through the room but it wouldn’t work any other way.
The first act is Sikisa, a comic from Brixton. Sikisa’s comedy is like walking into a party and finding that one person who knows just how to hold a room; excellent chat, great stories, fun energy. The best part about this performance is that she pulled out the burlesque skills she’s always going on about! Gorgeous to see.
A highlight of the evening was Courtney Pauroso as Vanessa 5000; a sex robot made for male pleasure, with built-in Warhammer-based conversation skills and automatic twerking functions. Pauroso has serious physical skills and comic timing. Felt inclined, if not forced, to bag a ticket for her show after this taster.
Martin Urbano was out in the audience taking notes for a live-review of the show. He came down at intermittent intervals to let us know what he was thinking. He’s an awkward, kooky kind of a comic, I’d be intrigued to see more of his actual work.
Michelle Brasier’s performance, a musical moment about being a millennial was whimsical but not her best. I caught her show Average Bear last year and really enjoyed it (I also thought a lot of the reviewers didn’t understand what she was doing - it deserved better press than it got). However, her performance at Stamptown wasn’t my favourite. I wouldn’t necessarily be convinced to see more - if I hadn’t seen what else she’s made of.
Ikechukwu Ufomadu is funny. Not haha-laugh-out-loud funny, rather his smart and suave stage persona makes you feel dirty and humiliated. If it’s not a persona - I’m sorry to all that know him.
Natalie Palamides was, as expected, the best act of the evening. Performing what I imagine is new material: disgusting, dripping with grime and asking the audience who impregnated her, before concluding that it must’ve been God. Palamides takes everything too far; the uncooked steak she dropped from her vag becomes the body of Christ, which she beats to a pulp before eating, raw. I’ve basically told you everything about this bit, but it doesn’t matter: you need to see her.
Final sum up: Zach Zucker is sexier (and shorter) in person, Natalie Palamides can’t be tamed, Vanessa 5000’s going to be booked and busy after this, and the antics from Zach and the Stamptown boys make you want to keep going ‘til dawn. I will be back.
Stamptown Comedy Night is on at Pleasance Courtyard - Forth on Aug 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 - tickets available here.
Other acts below:
Zach Zucker (Jack Tucker) - Tickets here
Courtney Pauroso (Vanessa 5000) - Tickets here
Natalie Palamides (Pearman then Palamides (WIP) - Tickers here
Sikisa (Hear Me Out) - Tickets here
Michelle Brasier (Reform) - Tickets here
Ikechukwu Ufomadu (Amusements) - Tickets here
Martin Urbano (Apology Comeback Show) - Tickets here
FIVE STARS
Image designed by Dylan Woodley
