Pippa Evans

Turning loneliness into laughter

Ushering her audience through to their seats in the guise of an Australian lifestyle coach who runs classes in helping people deal (very badly) with crippling symptoms of loneliness, Pippa Evans begins a thoroughly mixed character show. Runner-up in this year's Hackney Empire New Act competition, Evans clearly has acting ability oozing from her being but transferring that skill into killer comedy is another story. Her lead characters of Loretta Maine, a psycho-singer who can twist a tune away from being a delicate flower to a poisonous weed in the blink of a verse, her overbearing on-the-edge Oz guru and a Party Rings-obsessed loser all manage to instil sympathy and terror in the front rows.

Fortunately, the least memorable creations of the cocksure City broker and the off-stage monotone woman with tendencies that go way beyond the suicidal don't hang around long enough to spoil the fun. Ultimately a tender and well-worked show which leaves a pleasantly bitter taste.

Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 24 Aug, 4.45pm, £8.50 (£7.50).

More: Comedy, Reviews (Comedy), Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe, Pippa Evans

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