Comedy review: Maisie Adam: Vague, Gilded Balloon Teviot
Maisie Adam: Vague, Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14) ***
Raised in rural Yorkshire but now residing in Brighton, her observations on the North-South divide are sharp and persuasive, while her experience as a taller-than-average woman give her further opportunity to mine a ready, self-deprecating wit.
Her unique selling point however, is the epilepsy which began in her childhood, specifically juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, a relatively low-level condition that she wore as a badge of honour initially, milking it for special treatment and some entertaining memories of exams.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdAs she got older though, the attacks grew more serious. But as a committed, hard-partying “slave to the sesh”, she kept this from her parents, fearing missing out on normal teenage kicks.
Affording jeopardy and a compelling through-line to her tale, it’s possibly strung slightly too thinly to sustain an entire show. Still, she surrounds it with more relatable but original thoughts on adolescence, including a memorable physical display of Millennial computer game-inspired dancing.
• Until 27 August, 4:30pm