Just as I believe the 1990s was 10 years ago, I also believe every adult has the memory of Diana, Princess of Wales’ death seared into their mind. Only, of course, they don’t. There are living and breathing adults walking around who were born in a post-Diana world and never experienced slowly coming to terms with the realisation… Live & Kicking was never going to come on. I guess we all just have to deal with it and one way to do this is to see Rachel Fairburn’s show The People’s Princess.
In Fairburn’s latest show she examines what the title People’s Princess means, did Tony Blair mean it only for Diana, or has enough time elapsed that it’s up for grabs now? Because if it is, Fairburn reckons she might be a contender.
As always, Fairburn is whipsmart and observant in her comedy. In The People’s Princess, she grapples with class differences, what we mean by ‘the common touch’, abrupt assumptions and how society deals with women ageing.
Fairburn does this all without attacking anyone. Fairburn is at her best when articulating a point about Fleabag getting away with a lot more crass behaviour due to her plummy tones, whereas had Fairburn’s Mancunian accent uttered “cunt” on BBC Three she suspects there’d be fewer women claiming to be just like the eponymous character.
If the title of People’s Princess is up for grabs, then I think Fairburn should be in the running.
★★★★
Rachel Fairburn: The People’s Princess is at the Underbelly, Dexter at 21:35 until 25th August. For tickets and more information click here!
Funny Women are at the Edinburgh Fringe with five shows, from 19th – 23rd August, a Funny Women Awards 2019 semi-final, a Stand Up to Stand Out workshop and a Meet Up. Come find us!
There’s still time to nominate a women-led show for the 2019 Funny Women Awards’ Best Show Category! The show with the most nominations will be picked! Nominate a show you have seen or your own show by 31st August here!
