‘Making Your Mind Up’ set the scene before motivational spin merchant Arabella Robbins welcomed us in to this masterclass in character and autobiographical comedy, Nerine Skinner’s Decisions Decisions. Billed as a work-in-progress, this show seems anything but. Speeding up, slowing down, and playing around, this second solo show from the Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist is a polished, complete, tightly written and performed hour that had the crowd gripped and in fits of laughter throughout.
Skinner showcases her incredible flair as an impressionist and satirist, stand-up, character actor and talented singer. Nodding to her solo debut, 2024’s critically acclaimed five star The Exorcism of Liz Truss, she flips between political impressions with ease. As those she impersonates often seem to be politically doomed, she invites suggestions as to who we’d like dealt with next. Her Trump is no less than perfect and dare we say it rivals SNL’s James Austin Johnson’s, before she’s even spoken a word.
Skinner uses her theme to cleverly construct a playful show centred very relatably (with the exception of one bewildering man in the audience who ‘just picks an option’ when he has to decide) around being in a phase of her life where she can’t seem to make up her mind about anything, that ‘phase’ being all of her life to date.
Ingeniously and engagingly, she uses the motif of indecision throughout, turning to the audience to help her determine its narrative flow and even which character she should become: Antipodean Sadie or the insouciant artiste Margot fix someone’s life from the audience. She is a master of crowd work and everyone in the room is on board.
It’s just as well that Skinner is so skilled at bringing an audience along for the ride, as her narrative arc has poignancy as well as laughter. In Decisions Decisions Skinner reflects on all aspects of her life with touching honesty. She covers some potentially unwise yet fascinating career moves ranging from gigging as broccoli to being rejected by the prince of Brunei in an infamous late-night venue, to her childhood, family and very significant loss early in her life.
You have to be very funny indeed to pick up the mood after dipping into darker truths, but Skinner has charisma, charm and that rare ability to turn an audience’s mood at will without using any of her revelations as a tired formula. We particularly enjoyed her original writing and beautifully performed songs, and related all too much to what she had to say.
Nerine Skinner is a brilliant performer who is all too often self-deprecating. She should be very proud of the unique, creative and highly entertaining journey she took us on. Top pick, highly recommended.
In the words of Sadie the Motivator, she really left us wanting more. News on future dates for Decisions Decisions will be available on Instagram.
