Sarah Kendall

Intelligent comic crashes and burns

Back in the heady days of 2004, Sarah Kendall became the first woman to receive a Perrier nomination in nine years, and deservedly so. Having taken time out to trot the globe, she returned last year with a show that was worryingly patchy and left some wondering if she would return to her previously blistering form. Now, we have a show set in 1994 which recounts a college initiation prank that went awry leaving Kendall and her friend stranded in the Balangalo National Forest in the company of some pig-slaughtering rednecks.

Mixing narration and dramatic reconstruction, Kendall has enlisted the help of Justin Edwards and Joanna Neary to play a variety of characters and it’s this that makes it feel more a play than stand-up comedy. Unfortunately, it’s a play where no one can really act, and where the narrative passages lack much wit, giving the whole thing the feel of an ill-conceived student production. On her day Sarah Kendall is one of the most fiercely intelligent female comics out there but on the evidence of this show, that day won’t be found this August. (Gordon Eldrett)

Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 27 Aug, 8.55pm, £11.50–£12.50 (£10.50–£11.50).

More: Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Festivals, Fringe, Joanna Neary, Justin Edwards, Sarah Kendall, Stand-up, Reviews (Comedy)

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