Leslie Liao @ Òran Mór, Glasgow

Sad but poetic. That’s how Liao describes the crowd in Glasgow, as an audience member likens the dating scene to “a shallow pool”, with another adding that "we don’t know how to swim". Throughout tonight's set, Liao’s slyly sardonic wit breaks the fourth wall, her charismatic charm compelling us to laugh along earnestly, even at ourselves. The Californian native’s disposition errs toward deadpan over sunny and that translates just fine for Scottish sensibilities. 

Tonight’s set is billed as a show about the “life and loves of a single Chinese-American woman living in LA” and there's more than a few gems of social commentary to be found here. From the peculiarities from modern (heterosexual) dating culture to office jobs, ageing immigrant parents to 90’s R’n’B, she teases apart often unquestioned rituals of life with skill. When she gives her observations room to breathe, pulling at the thread until convention comes undone, she shines. Her dry, matter-of-fact delivery and confidently assured presence elicit laughs throughout as she unspools the delicate dance of first sleepovers in early dating; elsewhere, the double standards doled out to singletons are weaved into a story that pushes incredulity.

In exploring the everyday her material is less extraordinary than it is subtly observational, and some of her jokes don’t necessarily break new ground. Perhaps the trade-off comes in the form of relatability – indeed, it’s easy to warm to her as she weaves observation with insight, sentimentality with sarcastic gut punch. Even still, there’s a few fun surprises to be had that keep us on our toes, and make tonight a memorable one. The end of Liao’s breezy set comes all too soon – we could easily while away another hour or two with this straight-talking comedian. 

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Leslie Liao: The Nighttime Routine Tour, reviewed Sun 24 Mar at Òran Mór as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
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