“Wickedly Wild and Incredibly Funny, it Doesn’t Let You Stop Laughing”
A seemingly virtuous nun enters the room and bows to the crowd. She reaches the stage and turns around, and we are instantly shown what we are in for for the duration of the show.
This is a solo clowning show from Claire Robin that challenges the audience from the first moment right through to the conclusion. Robin is electric in this show. She is an excellent clown who does not let any boundary stop her from achieving what she sets out to do. She has a natural ability to get the audience on her side, and make them participate with little hesitation. It is an absolute credit to her ability at how far the audience is willing to join in, be it in singing hymns, brushing her down or eating grapes that shouldn’t be eaten. She is backed by Josh Cake on keyboard, who provides pitch perfect musical accompaniment for the duration of the show.
It is a well crafted show that thrives on a participative audience. It is created to have several differing movements. The titular nun is the main character, but Robin brings a few other characters into the mix, breaking up the show and adding further hilarity throughout. She creates an incredibly safe space, where everyone joins in with the show. In the same breath she makes us desperately uncomfortable and a little worried for what is to come next. There is little dialogue in this show, but when there is it is funny and endearing. Every moment is played out to perfection, whether hoovering, eating grapes or poking fun at a certain Australian politician.
All of these elements work well together, creating a brilliant performance. Yet there is still room to develop the piece, it could build further and challenge us more. This run clearly shows that it works, and now there is the opportunity for Robin to push it ever further, and craft a piece that snowballs to a maddening conclusion. It feels as if this is just a step to much more for this show, and it is exciting to think about where it will develop in the future.
Both Robin and Cake are having fun in making this show, and that funnels into the audience. It is an incredible piece of work that will shock, thrill and leave you confused all in the same minute. An alternative style of comedy that is worth the watch.
Claire Robin: NUN SLUT show runs at Blether at Gilded Balloon Patter House until 31st August (not 26th). Tickets here.