Adelaide Fringe Festival newcomer, Annie Louey, presents a very personal stand-up show reflecting on her experience as a burns survivor, public servant, first generation Australian, and daughter of a hard-to-impress father who always had to best her achievements.
Louey had a genuine and endearing take on her comedy. To that tune, let’s pretend she did not introduce the top of her own show, and did not greet patrons at the door as she accepted their tickets upon entry.
All pretending aside, the bulk of Louey’s show consisted of stories about relationships, and overcoming all manner of trauma, often light-heartedly interacting with the audience.
She was confident chatting with the patrons, establishing rapport with guests from overseas as she tried to ease people into her show.
However, some of her material felt disjointed as she jumped around from one thought to another, signifying in no uncertain terms that this show needed time to settle.
Perhaps she attempted to cover too much rather than focusing on what appeared to work best, that is the relatable and overwhelmingly humorous relationships between her and her parents, or the insight into the trope of a clash between her, a first generation Australian, and the ignoramus who thinks she “speaks very good English”.
The general premise of her show is admirable. Having survived a traumatic incident herself, she has become an ambassador for the KIDS Foundation charity, and is using her comedic skills as a philanthropist.
Louey will be donating 10 percent of ticket sales to this cause, which is an admirable gesture considering that she is doing this all on her own. For this reason, I would encourage you to support this performance.
Louey is a young comic who is evidently still honing her craft. Her strengths are in her warmth and sincerity which made me care about her story.
Rating: ☆☆☆
Reviewed performance: 13 March, 2018
Season: 13 – 18 March, 2018
Time: 8.00 pm (7.00 pm on Friday and Saturday)
Venue: Black Bull Hotel
