The Blundabus is absolutely packed for Amelia Bayler’s I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star. She greets us to the sound of Everything She Wants by Wham! Retrospectively, it should have been any song by Madness because this show was fundamentally unhinged and I loved every second of it.
This show was fundamentally unhinged and I loved every second of it
I’m genuinely finding it difficult to describe this show - in a good way! By weaving her signature comedy jingles with consistently funny, sometimes heart-breaking, stand-up, Bayler hasn’t just created a show, but a full experience for her Blundabus audience. It’s an hour that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
From a re-enactment of a ‘fabulous’ job disciplinary to a brilliant working from home song, with full Britney headset included, it’s a strong start to her show. We as an audience are completely drawn in and Bayler has us in the palm of her hand. This trust that’s established early on means that the crowd are fully on board for absolute bangers such as Tupperware, Patisserie Valerie and, my personal favourite, Wimpyyyyyyyyyy (the number of ‘y’s may vary).
There are touching moments in the show too. There’s a point where Bayler fears that she has lost her voice as a performer and as a stand-up. Who is the real Amelia Bayler? Can she be a serious performer? It’s her performance of Good Morning from Singin’ In The Rain that proves what a talented singer she actually is. Behind the fabulously nonsensical lyrics is a performer with a brilliant voice.
Consistently charming, clever and most importantly funny, Amelia Bayler is a chaotic walking encyclopaedia of pop culture. If I had to recommend a show to someone who wanted the full Edinburgh Fringe experience, it would be I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star. This show should be on everyone’s ‘must-see’ list – Amelia’s an absolute star.
