From the moment she wheels on stage on a blue plastic tricycle Cariad Lloyd lights up the room, fizzing with an infectious and vivacious energy. Her show is an hour of original comic characters, brilliantly drawn and often hysterical. Lloyd is witty, sharp and always on point, with an intellect that underpins the whole set.
The set begins with an audience-based piece – this time a mad old woman with a gay son and concerns about climate change in the style of Tennessee Williams – before Lloyd explains that she is a wannabe actress who has been forced into comedy. Indeed, her show could easily fall into the theatre category, something that an angry representative from ‘Fringe Control’ is eager to remind her of – his break-ins occur every time Lloyd veers too close to the poignant and theatrical and away from the merely comical.
All of the acts are played by Lloyd herself, brought to life by costume, accent and piercingly perceptive observations and it becomes evident from early on that this young woman really understands people. She knows exactly how to capture the essence of a character, transforming before our eyes into a wild and wacky new protagonist.
Among the comic characters in this set is Andrew, a geeky young boy characterised by gawky quips, hunched shoulders and a delectable sweater vest, as well as Kelly from ASDA – fast-speaking and deranged. Much of the show has the delicious hint of madness unhinged, but Lloyd somehow contains this just enough so as to hold the entire piece together.
A highlight of the show is Jooey Beschamel – a wonderfully satirical portrayal of the American actress Zooey Deschanel. It does not matter if you are not familiar with the original, for Lloyd’s caricature is bitingly astute and hilarious in its own right.
Laughter was in abundance throughout, from an audience of all ages. Some characters were naturally more successful than others, but all managed to illicit a great deal of universal mirth. This show is a real crowd-pleaser and it is worth seeing Lloyd now before she inevitably hits the big time and becomes less affordable!
