Review: Sara Pascoe vs History, The Lowry, Salford
Sara Pascoe is an inventive and highly likable comedian with the writing skills and comedic power to provide a hugely funny, completely fascinating almost-lecture in the guise of a stand-up show.
Pascoe’s debut UK tour show – Sara Pascoe vs History – discusses relationships, love, female sexuality in relation to men, history and popular culture; and an alternative reaction to Page Three.
But none of this is familiar, or hectoring. Pascoe is unique in her ability to transform familiar, topical subjects into routines that are wholly her own; in particular, her opinions on the context of Blurred Lines lyrics being transferred to a barbecue, and a jury service-style approach to Page Three (‘…please bring some snazzy pants and pithy quote about Syria’).
This performance at The Lowry was Pascoe’s first tour show after a Christmas break – a matinee before the evening show, added due to popular demand – and you can see why.
It’s a beautifully well-thought out show that presents almost as an almanac of historical musings and evolutionary particulars, laced with beautifully funny personal anecdotes about being recognised whilst half-naked, endeavours to marry members of Take That, and from her own relationship (with fellow comic John Robins).
Late-comers were also graced with a diluted version of Pascoe’s Edinburgh Fringe late-comers’ parade – no hats or feather boas, but a lovely song and a round of applause as they located their seats.
It could be all too easy to gloss over the show as simply a funny show about feminism and relationships; but this would be wildly lazy.
Pascoe’s silly, inclusive on-stage persona acts as a perfect foil for subjects she mines completely original and complex material from; routines about sperm selection, the inadequacies of history’s greatest love stories (namely Napoleon Bonaparte’s leaving his beloved Josephine when it became clear she couldn’t have children) and the powers of editing in an interview with FHM. The show is full of unique approaches, fresh ideas and terrifically funny writing.
Pascoe’s tour show is a fabulous example of how wonderfully interesting and thought-provoking comedy can be, as well as hilarious.
There’s no reason why a comic shouldn’t discuss politics or feminism or morality, but the dexterity with which Sara Pascoe negotiates her subjects into being genuinely funny, relatable and likable routines is a firm reminder that there are only a handful of comedians who can pull it off with complete success.
This may be her first tour, but Pascoe already has her own brand of brilliant edu-comedy locked down. Sara Pascoe vs History is a fantastic show, and a debut not to miss.
Date of live review: Saturday 10 January 2015 @ 4pm
