Comedy review: Ever Mainard: Let Me Be Your Main Man

First time outside the US and blasting through her show in 45 minutes, Ever Mainard seems to have a lack of confidence in her material.

Star rating: ***

Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14)

Which is a shame because there’s plenty to recommend the LA-based Texan.

Her recent break-up with her fiancée has coloured everything, sending her into a spiral of self-doubt and identity crisis. One aspect in which she’s sure of herself though is that she’s a lesbian, not least after being outed to everyone in her tiny hometown in the most public way possible. Gigging there reinforces her sense of being a fish out of water, even to her own family, and she struggles to justify the hillbilly look she’s accidentally appropriated. In LA, she manages to alienate her personal trainer, a casting director and agent by being too forthcoming and belatedly learns the wisdom of not listening to her hippy friend when it comes to getting over her heartbreak.

Insecure and sporadically gabbling, Mainard’s got a manic routine about ill-advisedly shaving off her pubic hair, a despairing moment that becomes a choking motif whenever she subsequently hits rock bottom. Unquestionably, she has to slow down and show faith in her abilities if she’s to connect with UK audiences.

Until 28 August. Today 6:15pm.

Click here for more reviews from the Edinburgh Festival

Click here for news from the Edinburgh Festival

Click here for guides from the Edinburgh Festival