At the grand old age of 46, it is on very rare occasions that I feel like the teenager in the room. (Unless my youngest is telling me I have had too much wine!) However last night at the Leicester Square Theatre I had the fabulous opportunity to see Lynn Ruth Miller’s show ‘Granny’s Gone Wild’ where I initially felt like the teenager. She has just won the TO&ST Cabaret Award at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and it is easy to see why.
Lynn Ruth embraces the audience in the same way as she embraces her age. With an attitude that oozes comedy, indifference and inspiration. She teased us mere ‘adolescents’ with a striptease that smashes any stereo-typical image of our older selves. Indeed Lynn Ruth demonstrates that life can be just as exciting at 80 as it is at any other time proving that there is no need to jump into a magical pool of life, as seen in the film Cocoon.
As a performer, Lynn Ruth doesn’t just make you feel younger (or dare I say, guilty) by watching her energy and enthusiasm, but she brings a spirit and joy of life that should be present in us all, no matter what our ages. Sometimes you just have to find it! I didn't see an 80 year old lady on the stage, I saw a comedic legend whose positive energy was as strong as any teenager.
I soon realised along with the rest of the packed theatre, that we were not the youth in this situation. We were watching the teenager! We had arrived with preconceived social ideas on how a ‘Granny’ should act and Lynn Ruth shows us that ‘old age’ can be a whole lot of fun!
Thank you Lynne Ruth Miller, I did see the young girl and she offered up a wealth of inspiration, fun and ambition.
Debbie Garry is a writer and performer and also debuted at the Funny Women Pop Up Fringe with 'Dolly Slatemen's Comedy Bingo Hour'.
Pictured: Lynn Ruth Miller with Funny Women founder, Lynne Parker, who embraced the wig fest that is part of the show (perhaps a little too seriously…Ed).
