Who: Jen Brister
What: Meaningless
Where: Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Out of the Box
When: 1.45pm
Why:
Jen Brister is breathtaking. From start to finish she performs with such flair and visceral intensity that you leave feeling as if you’ve just disembarked a roller coaster. Perhaps more than any other comic at the Fringe she emanates a power from the stage that has to be controlled and tempered, rather than amplified. At times you wonder whether the mic is just a prop.
That’s not to say that Brister is stood there yelling at you. She is charming, charismatic, wry and extremely affable, and there’s a huge variety to her tone and material, but she is also capable of blistering crescendos of fume that would be dangerous in the wrong hands. You could imagine yourself following her into battle whilst not being entirely sure why.
Early on we are introduced to Brister’s mother, who has been staying with her for months and is absolutely doing her head in. I say ‘introduced’ because Brister doesn’t describe people, she acts them out. Whether it’s her Spanish mum, her stoical partner, random gammon heads, or even adult imaginings of both her twin sons, it’s a piss funny cast of characters.
As an aside, you know how every black comic has their own twist on the generic white guy voice? Well I think Brister has own version with her straight middle-class woman. It’s brilliantly observed and involves hands on knees, tilted head, and a deeply patronising smile. She’s so good at these takes that you wonder whether a future in comedic acting is on the cards.
Anyway, back to mother. Brister is in her element when it comes to losing her temper over life’s many trials and tribulations. These range from her mum overstaying her welcome, the inherent bullshit of being told not to do period jokes, the onset of peri-menopause (nowt to do with Nandos we’re told), and basic gender inequality. She does pent-up rage like no one else.
That said, it goes without saying that it’s all part of a varied and nuanced act. The ‘angry lesbian’ stereotype is up there with ‘angry black woman’, and just as unhelpful. Part of what makes Brister’s rants so funny is that they are often followed by a calm, almost apologetic postlude. Badass Brister is a powerful weapon but that’s precisely why it is used sparingly.
Finally, if there’s still a part of you that thinks – despite all logic and evidence – that women aren’t as funny as men, or somehow lack the requisite skills to compete with their masculine equivalents, go and watch Meaningless. You’ll either have to admit you’re wrong, or just admit to yourself it’s all about the dick.
You can buy tickets for Meaningless here.
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