Michelle Brasier @ Gilded Balloon Teviot

You’ve likely heard the phrase ‘inside you are two wolves’ before. In Michelle Brasier’s new hour, Reform, we are instead invited to consider that inside every person is a bonobo and a chimpanzee. If that sounds like a slightly off-the-wall character assessment to you, that’s because it is. The observation springs from a tale of deception and altruism butting their heads together until they bring about an unlikely conclusion. All for the sake of a secondhand pilates reformer. 

It all begins during lockdown in Australia, when Brasier sets her sights on the aforementioned pilates reformer online. Thinking she’s found the most ideal and trustworthy seller by stalking his Facebook page, she purchases it. Surprise, surprise, it never arrives. Naturally, she then embarks upon what can only be described as a toxic and one-sided relationship between herself and seller Jacob, which largely remains within the confines of Facebook Messenger and the odd phone call.

The musical elements of the show are really effective – Brasier seems to have an almost perfect comedic instinct for the right moments to break into song. The chemistry between her and partner Tim Lancaster, on guitar, and Jordan White on the keyboard, create moments of hilarity and add to the list of times where the fourth wall is broken. There are occasions where the music overpowers her voice a little, but it doesn’t detract from the show.

Brasier is a trusting person – some might say to a fault. This story is a fable for us as audience members, as there’s a big lesson in patience to be had. No matter how frustrated you may feel at Brasier’s decision-making as she recounts the tale, trust the process. Because what good would a show like this be if Brasier wasn’t who she is?

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Michelle Brasier: Reform, Gilded Balloon Teviot (The Lounge), until 27 Aug (not 16 Aug), 7pm, £12-14