Abbie Edwards @ Just The Tonic at The Mash House
Abbie Edwards brings an endearing and relatable look to the pains of a debilitating crush in Knee Touch
We’ve all had a debilitating crush, and Abbie Edwards is no exception. Her new show Knee Touch explores the perils of navigating the path of love in a way which is highly relatable, and highly endearing.
The show begins strong. There’s a lengthy discussion with audience members about cartoon characters whom they’ve fantasized about, with Edwards indulging in her own guilty pleasures with ease and a nervous edge. This nervousness carries us through: as an audience, we’re on her side, and we want to know more.
Edwards leads into its main theme, where she tells the story of liking someone so much she accidentally sets him up with her friend. She thrives here, with an intelligent kind of storytelling which leaves you rooting for the underdog. The most enjoyable part of the show is simply hearing about how she navigated this crush of hers – it’s deeply human and personal in a way which is equal parts scathing and full of whimsy.
The content tends to drift on occasion, and sometimes this works well. There’s interjections of theatrical monologues and readings from her own diaries as well as quotes from Disney films, with Edwards bringing us into the mind of a slightly naive twenty-something who conflates fantasy with reality, and fact with fiction. At other times, the show slows in momentum by changing its subject slightly unnecessarily, like when Edwards speaks in a joking disdain about her job as a teacher. It’s still funny and slightly heartwrenching (a line that Edwards toes very well), but overall the show works best when it sticks on theme.
As Knee Touch rounds to a close, it returns to its core. Edwards recounts how going from unrequited to requited love is equally confusing and quietly liberating, flipping the one-sided perspective. There’s a clear character arc, of personal shame to empowerment, akin to the stories of those in the films Edwards quotes from. It ends as a happy ever after for everyone.
Abbie Edwards: Knee Touch, Just The Tonic at The Mash House (Just the Bottle Room), until 16 Aug, 4.50pm, £9.50/£7.50