comedy review

Nina Conti - Evolution

Mick Perrin for Just for Laughs Live

Nina Conti has a full house, and it's only the second full length show she has ever taken to Edinburgh. This is probably due to the fact that her show is mainly based around her unusual talent as a ventriloquist, meaning she has gained fame fast on the comedy circuit. Using her money-puppet as her onstage sidekick, the jokes come thick and fast. However, the gags aren't particularly sophisticated, mostly relying on the monkey saying her 'unconscious' thoughts, whilst she denies all knowledge of them. Although an entertaining and bizarre evening, Conti relies too much on gimmicks to get her laughs, and whilst her talent as a ventriloquist is impressive, her comic material is not of the same calibre.

Pleasance Courtyard, 30 Jul - 25 Aug (not 11, 18), , 8.25pm (9.25pm), prices vary, fpp 82

tw rating: 3/5

published: Aug-2008

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