Vanessa 5000

Ed Fringe 2023

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Ed Fringe 2023 -

Courtney Pauroso: Vanessa 5000 at the Edinburgh Fringe is an absolute gem that seamlessly blends uproarious laughter with insightful commentary on the complexities of modern technology. Having experienced a glimpse of Vanessa 5000 at the legendary Stamptown, my expectations were high, and Pauroso more than met them.

We meet Vanessa 5000, a sex robot, whose product demonstration evolves into a comedic and philosophical rollercoaster. Pauroso's exceptional clowning skills come to the fore as she fully embraces the quirks and absurdities of her robotic character. From her mechanical movements to her pitch-perfect deadpan delivery, every moment is meticulously crafted to elicit bursts of laughter from the audience.

The ability to transition from side-splitting humour to thought-provoking introspection is a skill which Pauroso has in abundance. As Vanessa 5000 grows increasingly conflicted about her own existence and the role of technology in our lives the show seamlessly balances the absurd with the profound, leaving the audience in stitches one moment and lost in contemplation the next.

The playfulness with the male audience members is razor-sharp, with Pauroso's comedic timing hitting all the right marks, reacting and adapting constantly. She doesn't shy away from poking fun at the quirks of technology while also shining a light on the existential questions it raises. Her ability to draw the audience in, making us empathise with a sex robot's existential crisis, is a testament to her immense talent. She engages with the audience effortlessly, incorporating improvisation that keeps each performance feeling fresh and unique.

In a festival brimming with talent, Courtney Pauroso's Vanessa 5000 stands out as a show filled to the brim with razor-sharp timing, hilarious audience interaction and a whole host of product placement. With its perfect blend of wit and charm, this show is a riotous way to spend an hour. 

Courtney Pauroso: Vanessa 5000 is running at the Edinburgh Fringe until the 27th of August - You can get tickets here

The show is also running at Soho Theatre 30th August - 2nd September. Tickets for that can be found here

FOUR STARS

Photo by Jill Petracek.