Barbara Nice: Mrs Nice

Review by Bernard O'Leary | 06 Aug 2012

It's hard to describe Barbara Nice to the uninitiated. Imagine if someone had never heard of standup comedy and had autonomously invented something almost identical, but not quite. There's a mic and a general impulse to make people laugh, but there are no routines, no setups, no respect for the divide between audience and performer. Halfway through, she goes crowdsurfing. It's that kind of show.

It's also an extremely funny show, with Nice having an infinite supply of HRT-addled non sequiturs. She's dotty and lovely, her interactions always leaving her victim with a big smile on their face. She states early on that the trouble with the world is that people don't have enough fun and the next hour is a pretty decent stab at redressing that balance, with singing, dancing and some truly terrific gags.

The big finale leads us all outside. The details are secret (sorry, you'll just have to see the show) but ends with Nice receiving a rapturous ovation in the middle of a rain-drenched George Street. One of the nicest, funniest experiences at the Fringe.

Barbara Nice: Mrs Nice, Assembly Rooms, until August 25 (not 13), 2:30pm, £10/£9. http://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/comedy/barbara-nice-mrs-nice