One day, a man in a coffee shop asked Ria Lina where she was from. Luckily for Festival-goers, the answer resulted in a fully formed show. The half-German, half-Filipino, British-born musical comedienne with an American accent explores what it’s like to be torn between so many identities and whether this point in question is actually relevant to, well, anything. Refreshingly, unlike so many comedians who base shows on their nationalities, Lina does not rely on stereotype jokes. Of course, there are the odd references to German efficiency and ping pong balls, but these are only presented in order to be deconstructed later. Her charming songs are wittily constructed, if not entirely politically correct. But then again, isn’t that the point?
The Voodoo Rooms, 3-26 August (not 6, 13, 20), 7.00pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Anna McDonald]
Sections: by Anna McDonald - ED2012 Cabaret Reviews - tw rating 4/5 | Tags: Ria Lina, The Voodoo Rooms
  |
Also from ThreeWeeks...
ED2012 Comedy Review: Michael Mittermeier – A German On Safari (Mick Perrin for Just For Laughs Live and Eddie Izzard)
Germany’s top comedian had a hard journey to get to Edinburgh (he flew Ryanair), but has settled into the Fringe well. Listening to the other voices in the crowd, I’d...
ED2011 Theatre Review: Rumors (American High School Theatre Festival)
A hundred ping-pong balls in a dryer wouldn’t provide as much chaos as does this performance by American High School Theatre Festival. The company’s idea of humour seemed to involve...
ED2011 Cabaret Review: Muse Chanteuse – Opera Cabaret (Lisa Byrnes and Chris Taylor)
This is a classy cabaret act. With singing, some instrumental piano music, gentle dancing and little context, Lisa Byrnes floats around singing poetic songs accompanied by Chris Taylor’s slight, jazzy...
|
|
