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Edinburgh festival 2008 > Comedy > Martha McBrier: A Wee Bit About A Lot Of Things

Martha McBrier: A Wee Bit About A Lot Of Things - Martha McBrier

Average rating:

Problem solving requires breadth. Employing GP-like shallow expertise, Misery Aunt Martha soothes your troubled mind and simultaneously messes with your head. Rubberneck other people's despair. 'Comic genius' (Scotsman).

Venue:

Gilded Balloon Teviot
14 Bristo Square, Edinburgh
EH8 9AJ


Audience Reviews

sheila west's rating

Having recently read a review in The List from Brian Donaldson, I am a little stumped as to why he chose to give McBrier one star for her show 'A wee bit about a lot of things'.  Now, unless I walked in to another show by accident - which is possible but unlikely - McBrier's show is in essence ingenius, because it does utilise the audience so much - that's what makes it what it is.  You won't find a generic comedian in McBrier's presence - you'll find an honest woman, who really does have a few things to say about a lot of things.  I felt that while she suggest that we can 'all learn from eachother' she was also learning herself and for that, she most certainly deserves a 5 star review.

If Donaldson doesn't 'understand' what she is trying to do, then he should probably stick to reviewing generic styled shows, with gags every 30 seconds - and not something that really demonstrates the way comedy is going in the long-term.  It's about story telling and I suspect there's a fantastic story teller in McBrier that will draw you in with in a second if you allow yourself a little bit of faith.

McBrier's show treads a fine line between philosophical belief and darn right hilarity - both in extreme measure in my opinion and this makes her show a true gem at this year's Fringe.  You won't find predictability, something I feel McBrier is not striving for anyway, but you will find truth, honesty and a feeling that McBrier is getting as much from you as you are from her.

The fact that she is able to draw you in on more than one level is an experience than any half-intelligent individual will appreciate.  It's not all about the jokes - you have to look further.  And, if you're able to do that, you'll find McBrier's show is full of wit, intelligence and a genuine persona, that will delight you, surprise you and in places probably shock you and will, most definitely make you laugh out loud.

It's not improvisation for improvisations sake - it's real and as many people have said - there ain't nothing funnier than real life - something that McBrier exudes on many levels.

So, on this basis, I reviewed McBrier's show and gave it a five star - because she simply is probably one of the best female acts around at the moment and if you want something more than - 'my boyfriend left me' or 'isn't terrorism funny' then this is a show you should get yourself to before the fools suddenly realise a genius just slipped through their fingers.

 

Who should go see it.
Anyone with a bit of intelligence will enjoy this show.


Fiona Squires's rating

From the date of the review in the List, I can understand why only one star was given.  While I agree with a lot of what's been said above, this sort of act completely depends on having an enthusiastic audience who are willing to join in.  Unfortunately on a miserable Wednesday night with an audience of 20, made up of people who have accepted free tickets just so they can get out of the rain, that's not the audience you are going to get.

McBrier came accross as being warm, intelligent and witty and I am sure that on a Friday evening with a full house, this show flies however my advice would be to proceed with caution.

Who should go see it.
Those who don't mind being put in the spotlight - if you avoid the front row in case the comedian picks on you, this show is probably not for you.


p sharkey edinburgh's rating

Martha arrived on stage promising much but ultimately delivering very little. No one can deny that Martha has stage presence and wit - but the lack of laughs,  flow and actual comedy proved that she does not have the skill to carry a one hour long improvisational style show.

She introduced a theme for the show at the beginning and suggested that her interactions with the audience would be jovial and constructed - yet the shows theme was disjointed and forced at best, while her interaction with the crowd consisted of obvious generic potshots ('...and what do you do for a living? - oooooh arent you clever' etc etc).

I was mostly dissapointed as the potential was there and i kept waiting for the show to come to life, but before i knew it the hour was up and i shuffled out the door thinking 'what a waste of string......and time'.

Poor. avoid.

 

 

Who should go see it.
anyone who would enjoy a bland, unfunny Q+A session masquerading as improvisational comedy.


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