Lucy Frederick’s debut solo show sees the Funny Women Awards finalist explore the very nature of that most elusive of attributes: coolness. ‘In Pursuit of Cool’ is a charming re-telling of her life-long desire to be part of the cool set – taking in trip hop, Skippits, and Cuban barmen along the way.
I saw the show at The Space in the Isle of Dogs as part of an Edinburgh preview. Lucy has matured since the competition last year, with part of her final-making routine about an encounter with a blacksmith forming a chunk of the show, but well integrated with her wider narrative.
Lucy’s clever use of language, lamenting that she will never be cool as she still describes a jacket as ‘jazzy,’ and that her blacksmith lover texted her ‘in the eveningtide’ sets her apart from many other perfomers, as this self-deprecating charm means the audience feel part of her journey, and sets up a level of acceptance and trust.
This genuine charm cleverly wins the audience over, as the show culminates with a large section that involves audience interaction. With a less skilled performer this audience participation could be daunting, however Lucy manages to make it fun, silly, and unintimidating.
It’s evident that Lucy has spent time honing her skills, having also made it through to the semi-finals of the Amused Moose competition in 2013, and whilst the show needed some final finessing, (precisely why she was doing the Edinburgh previews,) it was a real joy to watch. However, the show really comes alive when Lucy uses her physicality, as she is an excellent physical comedian – I'd really like to see this utilized further in future shows.
Clever, funny, accessible and identifiable to all, if there is a show to charm you into wearing a paper hat as a badge of coolness, this is it.
'In Pursuit of Cool' is at Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters between 2-3pm from 1st-25th August 2013
Pictured: Lucy Frederick, Courtney Cooke in a paper hat pictured at the show
