Eleanor Morton’s show takes a smart, but self-deprecating look at feminism and the comedian’s own place in it, but feels full of more potential than she delivers.
A perfect starter for a day of shows
Morton warms the crowd up with a few short, clever jokes at the beginning, talks a bit about her awkwardness when confronted with the sexism of strangers, before heading into an improvised rap about a suggested historical period which was just shy of being funny or impressive enough to warrant a place in the show. Her sketches, while intelligent and well-delivered, could do with some editing as they occasionally feel overlong, especially considering her explanatory lead-ins. An improvised game where she rewrites film plots as if the protagonist had been a woman, while initially well-used to regain the waning interest of the audience during the notorious lulls of the 20- and 40-minute marks, returns one too many times towards the end.
Though her extensive experience in sketch and improv are impressive, it’s Morton’s more conventional routines, which all have a stylistic twist within them which feels very individual, that pack the biggest punches. Hints of a more alternative style that perhaps come from her experience as a board member at the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society, are subtle and well-interlinked with the straight stand-up that comprises much of her show.
Her strongest material comes from a mixture of observational and more confessional material which takes full advantage of her inherent on-stage likeability. Morton covers a diverse range of subjects, from the ornamental nature of a bride on what is supposed to be her big day to the inherent distrust men have of women, and even about the size of ravens. A clear historical focus feels underplayed with routines on underappreciated feminist icons from history, which she abashedly admits was inspired by a Buzzfeed article, containing a nuance and depth that could have been delved into further.
Though maybe not her best show, Angry Young Woman is both informative and enjoyable. It’s early time-slot makes it a perfect starter for a day of shows, and the budding talents of Eleanor Morton are worth seeing as someone who will surely be an influential mainstay of the circuit in years to come.
