COMEDY

Some comedians like to keep a strict divide between themselves and the audience. Not so Kate Smurthwaite who likes to develop a relationship with them. She starts by the standard – asking people where they are from or what they do for a living  – but here it works really well and gets us all on the same side.

Mind you if you have an imaginary friend in Jesus this is probably not the show for you.

The theme of the show is things that have been in the news in the last year and things that have happened to her, yet it was clear from some of the material that quite a bit of it was as recent as during the Fringe. My somewhat incoherent notes list subjects as diverse as supermarket checkouts, swearing in netball, the Daily Mail, Nicholas Parsons, the royal wedding, tampons, Santa, Brecht, and religion.

With a crisp delivery she really knows how to work an audience. Oh, and just to add to the fun this left wing performer is working in a space with quotes from Mussolini on the wall and the owner is called Franco. She assures me that to the best of her knowledge Hitler does not work in the kitchen. Now there’s a great show title.