April 13, 2008
‘In No Particular Order’ is an unusual title for such a well-structured stand-up comedy show, interspersed with sketches and funny songs such as the infectious ‘I’m in love’, tune with the ‘cheesy grin’ response. Clare Summerskill worked as an actress before ‘coming out’ as a stand-up comic; a career change not easily accepted by her mother who blames herself for not taking her to see more Shakespeare. This is a career change tonight’s audience in the intimate Burton Taylor theatre vociferously applaud. Clare’s strong acting abilities make the variety of genres in this one-woman show work beautifully. Her moving story-telling skills are employed to embrace the heart breaking truth of a love that got away. Whilst the material is written from a lesbian point of view the moment is not lost on the audience’s male contingent.
Fresh, original and contemporary insights into life as a lesbian are presented wittily. When meeting with the in-laws it is noted it is never their daughter who is the lesbian. The story of the civil partnership ceremony which is followed by a cake in the shape of a cat ("and no the buffet is not vegetarian but there is an ex lover at the back singing ‘it should have been me!’") has the full house in stitches. Clare recreates the feeling of arriving alone at a party knowing only the host using three interspersed microphones. The only other person at the party who is also on their own is so because her partner died last month. A great burst of party tracks throughout the show makes this a great night out, taking us to the interval.
Many of the characters Clare presents have endured difficult relationships and are now single. In her last song Clare leads us to believe this is the case with her but by the end of the song it is concluded that this is no bad thing. Perhaps the person we are looking for in the lonely hearts column is in fact ourselves. If comparing Clare Summerskill’s comic delivery with Victoria Wood seems too obvious, it is only because Summerskill is a formidable entertainer irrespective of the type of material she chooses to present. However the scenario of the two lesbians enforcing their right to a double bed on hapless hotel receptionist Chantelle is cracking. The receptionist learns a valuable lesson; don’t stereotype lesbians. If you do they’ll get drunk and start a fight. Girl power.
Fresh, original and contemporary insights into life as a lesbian are presented wittily. When meeting with the in-laws it is noted it is never their daughter who is the lesbian. The story of the civil partnership ceremony which is followed by a cake in the shape of a cat ("and no the buffet is not vegetarian but there is an ex lover at the back singing ‘it should have been me!’") has the full house in stitches. Clare recreates the feeling of arriving alone at a party knowing only the host using three interspersed microphones. The only other person at the party who is also on their own is so because her partner died last month. A great burst of party tracks throughout the show makes this a great night out, taking us to the interval.
Many of the characters Clare presents have endured difficult relationships and are now single. In her last song Clare leads us to believe this is the case with her but by the end of the song it is concluded that this is no bad thing. Perhaps the person we are looking for in the lonely hearts column is in fact ourselves. If comparing Clare Summerskill’s comic delivery with Victoria Wood seems too obvious, it is only because Summerskill is a formidable entertainer irrespective of the type of material she chooses to present. However the scenario of the two lesbians enforcing their right to a double bed on hapless hotel receptionist Chantelle is cracking. The receptionist learns a valuable lesson; don’t stereotype lesbians. If you do they’ll get drunk and start a fight. Girl power.