Alice Cockayne’s whirlwind, absurd hour seamlessly combines 6 characters into a satirical, horror-infused, one-woman sketch show. A feast for the senses, Cockayne’s witty and original character creations are brought to life with quirks and lavish costume – silicon boobs, a pregnant belly, metre-long blow up nails and of course, a plethora of wigs.
We’re kicked off with a pimp-esque character – head honcho of the girls4you hotline – fielding phone calls for her escorts, that are played by three doll’s heads. Cockayne wastes no time showcasing her imaginative and impressive character building, complete with quirks, props and catch phrases, showing her talent as a writer and performer.
One of my favourite things about the hour is Cockayne’s combination of the absurd with relatable, every day life premises, such as: a haunting character with sea shells for hair and long bright red nails, singing about the benefits of acrylics; and a Nigella Lawson character cooking a casserole using Sally Rooney’s Normal People. Cockayne allows the audience to escape into her surreal world, but provides cultural references as buoys.
Audience participation is a large part of the hour, which goes down particularly well in a full room. In one moment, someone suncreams a pregnant belly, and another, puppeteers an alcoholic baby doll, made spooky with an under-lit torch.
If you miss the absurdity of the Mighty Boosh, or the colourful characters of sit com Ellie and Natasia, I guarantee you will enjoy this show.
You can catch Licensed. Professional. Trained. Qualified. every day until Sunday 24th August @ 10:40 PM at Bunker 2, Pleasance Courtyard
