Caroline Hardie is one half of the double act Thomas Hardie, presenting a mixture of stand-up comedy and sketches. The other half is not present, but she is more than capable of taking on a one-woman show.
Hardie starts with an introduction to the performance, saying that she is going to present a range of characters, some of whom she has met, some she hasn’t. She starts off with the Queen, playing on the idea that in her spare time Her Majesty has a broad cockney accent and gives lessons on how to be a royal. She talks about an overheard phone call which led her to create the character of a typical East London girl who was competing in the fashion Olympics. As she analysed pieces of clothing, looking for something which conveyed her personality, she gave away pieces of free advice such as ‘thin does not equal beautiful, thin and beautiful equals beautiful’. Hardie ended the show with a bang, with an adaptation of the Chicago number When You’re Good to Mama featuring Angela Merkel.
Hardie has natural comedic talent and her observations are very perceptive. Her sketches are very witty and cleverly put together. The audience clearly loved it and each and every one of her characters was a success. It’s a lot of fun to watch and a very upbeat and lively performance, proving to be a highlight of the Free Fringe.
