Nate is the perfect example of what I believe comedy and art should be. Comedy should make you laugh, which this show does in huge amounts, and art, whatever form it takes, should make you think.
Natalie Palamides is a powerful, talented and committed performer who can believably play different characters and take them to physical and emotional extremes. The show she brings to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, after winning 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer, is an hour-long exploration of the meaning of consent and all the shades of grey that exist in its definition.
Throughout the hour, Natalie uses the stage, her body, very complicated and high-end props and (somewhat) willing volunteers from the audience to tell us the story of Nate, a rough, rugged, yet sensitive man, trying to figure out how to make the best of life. Through visual gags, well-written material, amazing listening and reacting to what the audience is giving back, the performer makes us go through the whole span of emotions in a show that can be as silly as it can be serious. You’ll be shaking with laughter at the silliest situation happening on stage to discomfort about what you’re seeing and thinking. 24 hours later, you’ll still be thinking about it.
As every piece of art that truly makes you think, not everyone sees it the same way, and you could feel the audience taking sides between the ones loving the show and the ones struggling to enjoy it. The best bit of it is that it doesn’t really give you the right answer, apart from the most basic, black and white, definition of consent, the grey areas that the subject encompasses are there to be discussed and Nate only opens up the conversation.
★★★★★
Natalie Palamides: Nate is at the Pleasance Courtyard at 18:00 (and 00.15 Fridays) until 26th August. For tickets and more information click here!
This event has been made possible with the support of Starling Bank, the mobile-only bank that takes your money seriously. Through their campaign #MakeMoneyEqual, Starling is promoting the often difficult conversations about money and giving women a voice.
