Eurgh, I loved this show. I’d happily end the review there because it’s accurate and it’s a reasonable pull-quote. But it does deserve a full review, so let’s begin.
For her sophomore show, Overman has decided to school us all on Dutch comedy, because as both a Dutch person and a comedian she is an expert. For those who feel as though she is going too fast, there is a flipchart to help you keep up. I’m not normally big on props in stand up, because they are usually an indicator that the comedian does not have enough material to fill an hour, but is hoping to distract you with some funny memes they made. However, I am repeatedly proven wrong about this in shows such as Overman’s.
The show opens with a request to switch our phones off, not talk and to refrain from masturbating, does that need to be said? Well, considering in another show I was in someone’s phone rang despite each show opening with a request to put your phone on silent… yeah. In fact, Overman explains later in the show that last year a man was seen masturbating during her debut show, “he was sitting right there!” she says to an audience member who may have wished to switch seats. In fact, it’s strange that the Pleasance chose to allocate her the same room as before.
But Overman refuses to let this incident define her show. So what does define her? Her Dutchness? Her childhood in which she was the weird kid despite not having any of the traits that traditionally make you the playground outcast? The fact she can talk about sex without relying on euphemisms like the British? Or just that she has a flipchart and knows how to use it? We will never quite boil it down.
Overman brings a fantastically frank voice to proceedings, she laments at one point that there aren’t more young women at this show because she wants them to hear her message. Instead, her front row consists of some middle-aged men, but arguably it’s men who need to hear what Overman is talking about, particularly her stories of various incidents when male friends have declared an interest in her and then expressed resentment when rebuffed. It’s something I suspect most women have experienced, the horrible realisation that ‘the drink’ you have gone for is supposed to be a date. Overman makes it clear why this is not flattering, just awkward.
Endearingly goofy yet refreshingly no-nonsense, it seems that in this show Overman has managed to more articulately express the message she wanted to get across in her debut Role Model.
★★★★1/2
Micky Overman: Presenting Miss Micky Overman is at the Pleasance Courtyard at 21:15 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!
