The Phoenix on Broughton Street was the late night venue for Pamela Sian Evans’ first Edinburgh show. Debuted successfully at the Barcelona Comedy Festival Sugar, Spice and all things nice won their Gag of the Fest award for a joke that the organisers said was ‘so perfectly pitched and timed three girls in the front row fell out of their seats’. Unless they were seated on very unstable chairs that was quite a feat so expectations were high at 11.15pm in the cellar bar.
Sugar, spice plays on the disparity, nay, let us call it a bald dichotomy, between Evans’ onstage appearance and the content of her mind and ensuing language. Years spent in Barcelona have inured the blonde actress to being described as cute and overhearing people comment What a doll when seeing her. However the attitudes and language of her act are very much not cute or doll-like. It would not trouble the trade descriptions people if words like crude or eye-watering were bandied about to describe some of the content.
I can confirm that her analysis of the real meanings behind the words used by parents to describe their oh-so-perfect offspring are spot on. On whether her description of the pain of giving birth is as accurate I am less qualified to comment, though if it is really as painful as doing what she suggested then surely families of more than one child would be out of the question. Confident at the microphone Evans might be new to stand-up but has good timing and a uniquely twisted view of the world.
It could be difficult to sympathise with someone whose complaint is being too cute. Nevertheless Evans kept the well-lubricated audience on side and delivered a short 15 minute set that made everyone laugh. It is an act that is unsuitable if you are looking for entertainment for the kid’s next party but it reminds us that appearances are deceptive and everyone has thoughts they wouldn’t like the local vicar to over-think (it’s like over-hearing, but with thoughts).
Sugar, spice…all things nice is only on for two nights, and one of them has gone already. If you want to catch the show then today (Saturday 3rd August) is your last chance. Tickets are free.
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