Review of Anne Edmonds: You Know What I’m Like

Australian comic Anne Edmonds’s dark and hilarious character based show plays at Soho Theatre until 16 January. If the Christmas season of schmaltz has left you needing some outlandish humour then this is the show for you.

I’m not sure if it’s just me but something about the Australian accent has always tickled me. She plays with this well, varying the accent to suit the more flamboyant or deranged characters that she effortlessly slips into. A standout was the Australian house-wife who constantly tells anyone who’ll listen how “flat out” she’s been. Her character interludes are all well rounded with plenty of laugh out loud moments contained within cleverly observed narratives.

Another funny character was the aspiring yet unhinged psychiatrist who jumps into the cars of drivers beeping her for enjoying “her moment” crossing the zebra crossing too much. The repetition of phrases or aspects of the stories worked well. Her characters all have a sensitivity or flaw that we can all identify with. I emphasised with the woman driven to a mental breakdown by Starbucks mispronunciation of her name. Taking a familiar situation or character, scratching the surface and taking them in an absurd direction is something she clearly has a flair for.

Emerging in 2010 as a national finalist in Australian comic talent search Raw Comedy, Anne Edmonds has gone on to tour Australia and appeared at Edinbugh Festival Fringe. She also recently supported Marc Maron, host of the hugely popular WTF podcast.

This is her first show in England following a critically acclaimed 2015 in Australia, which saw her land the highly-coveted, Comics’ Choice award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

You Know What I Like is dark comedy rooted in everyday characters efforts at appearing sane. I really enjoyed the show and would definitely watch her again next time she’s in London.

More info and ticket info here.

Written by Martin Stocks | @Stocks1986