Eleanor Tiernan @ PBH Free Fringe, Banshee Labyrinth
In People Pleaser, Irish comic Eleanor Tiernan finds she is too nice for London
People Pleaser is an ode to life’s difficulties. Tiernan quickly points out the irony of performing at Banshee Labyrinth – ‘In Irish mythology, a banshee is an old woman who bears bad news’.
She explains the plights of being a perpetually nice person; always buying the coffees when meeting friends and clearing the rubbish left in the back of a taxi by previous passengers. Her kindness is tested when she moves to London, and faces the woes of finding accommodation on spareroom.co.uk. She denounces her Irish citizenship with a letter to the President, then Britain votes to leave the EU. It’s one thing after the other for Tiernan, but it nicely compliments her comedic style.
She questions her personal EU contribution to the UK, which moves onto a bizarre bit about giving Nigel Farage a blowjob, arguably bringing down an otherwise well-written hour. Nevertheless, it’s evident Tiernan has put the work in. Her show is peppered with props and sometimes hilarious videos and screenshots, a highlight being a spare room advert. Yet, People Pleaser’s ultimate comfort lies in realising life is hard, and it’s okay to laugh about it.
Eleanor Tiernan: People Pleaser, PBH Free Fringe at Banshee Labyrinth (Chamber Room), until 27 Aug (not 14), 3.10pm, free