Katharine Ferns is in Stitches
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire (Venue 338)
JJ
Ex-pat Canadian Ferns is a victim of child abuse, domestic violence and drug addiction, harrowing subjects she discusses with cathartic frankness in this uneven monologue. As she half-jokingly admits maybe she shouldn’t have billed it as a comedy show.
The strongest segments are played straight. The hacky gags are an intrusion. As a comic exploration of deeply serious issues, it’s a failure; as a confessional piece of anguished solo theatre, it’s occasionally quite moving.
Paul Whitelaw
Until 27 August. Today 1:30pm.