A true Scottish act with a very Scottish title. This is a well-rounded and engaging show from Jay Lafferty who has an established audience used to seeing her as a host and broadcaster who regular appears on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking The News. This is her first full length solo show and Jay combines her natural talent for engaging an audience with telling her story. This is a confident and seemingly effortless performance.
On the surface Jay presents a light and whimsical tale of naughty children chided by their elders, in her case frequently. We are lured with the explanation of the meaning of a ‘wee besom’, a term which lends itself to the title of her show, evolved from something much darker and bastardised into a term of mischievous endearment.
Jay reveals that life is not always what it seems and there is a sad twist to her tale. Women have the licence through stand-up comedy to explore the harder stuff that life dishes out and some of it cuts deep. You may not realise it at the time but you will think about it later.
Jay has a wonderful way of spinning a yarn. There’s always an appetite in the US, Canada and down under for those who may want to explore their Scottish roots and, like me, they will be fascinated by this ‘wee besom’ too.
★★★★
Jay Lafferty: Besom is at the Gilded Balloon Rose Theatre at 20:30 until 28th August. For tickets and more information click here!
