Em Humble @ Pleasance Courtyard

Cut open Em Humble and she bleeds Le Morte D’Arthur. Or at least, what she thinks it’s got inside its pages: a soothsayer played by Jennifer Coolidge, a little rat who loves Mike Oldfield and a medieval health and safety fella who lives under the lake in question.

In this character-forward debut hour, Humble immerses us in her playful world through imaginative impressions, costumes and totally gorgeous video design (made by Humble herself). Lady of the Lakes feels closer to a revue or showcase of Humble’s talents, and she certainly is talented. Sadly though, it’s lacking a throughline and feels a little confused, especially when we cycle backwards and forwards through these figures on the aimless path set before us.

There’s a better show in here somewhere but at present it’s still pretty rough and ready. Some one-time characters are ripe with potential but left hanging (come back Galahad’s horse and Desperate Dan-handsome Alex Hassell as our shining knight), whilst others are revisited with little need. And with a title like Lady of the Lakes, it’s also a little confusing to not have Humble pastiche Nimue; no direct comparison between her and the Arthurian enchantress seems like a wasted opportunity. 

Despite the honesty of Humble’s denouement about her experience with anxiety and panic attacks, it unfortunately feels a little tacked-on. Perhaps there was a way to track this through the whole hour, as the quest we’re led on or the foe we need to defeat with her showcase of characters?

Em Humble has made a charming debut, but one which prioritises style over substance. It’s a pleasure to spend an hour in her company, but as an hour-long show, it feels somewhat incomplete.

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Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes, Pleasance Courtyard (Below), until 30 Aug, 4.20pm, £11.50-£14.50