There is no way to suitably introduce a show that ticks all the boxes in the way that it provides us with everything that we might want from a stand-up hour. Grace Campbell Is On Heat is the best example yet of Grace Campbell’s strengths as a comedian It’s an iconic hour that that possesses both underlying transcendental properties as well as just pure comedy fun.
Possesses both underlying transcendental properties as well as just pure comedy fun
Campbell is supported by two stellar acts who match her energy that meld very well into the overall atmosphere of the show to the point where with each act, there is just a heightened feeling of energy, and to an extent, celebration. Alice Brine utilises the strategy of unexpected twists very well. Her set-up gradually builds an expectation so that we assume that we can anticipate the punchline, setting us up to expect one thing before taking it in such a different directions that it never fails to elicit laughter. Chris Hall demonstrates an aptitude for physical comedy, punctuating his exaggeratingly frustrated commentary, applying common-sense observations to anecdotes that appear the complete oppostie.
The main thread and motif of Grace Campbell Is On Heat centers around her friends, and it is a celebration of friendship. We can feel that in the room. Whilst the main building blocks are anecdotal, Campbell takes every opportunity that she can in order to establish some social and political allusions without leaning to heavily into these topics, referencing them just enough for us to glean her meaning without detracting from her main point. As is typical of Campbell’s style, she punctuates her commentary with an underlying laugh and knowing tone, creating both an ironic and confessional space. It’s a truly unforgettable performance.
She always puts the comedy first and foremost, using tone in order to punctuate with a wit and playfulness that buoys the energy as she delivers her material at a rapid rate. Her rapid delivery has some drawbacks in that there are moments where we lose part of the punchline, meaning that the joke loses its clarity. Campbell does fall into a kind of repetitive structural pattern occasionally, in that we can almost count the beats before a punchline is delivered or when her intonation will change. It’s a recipe that suits Campbell and which she utilises well, finding a kind of dichotomy in her unserious approach to traditionally serious topics, but in its predicitveness, a punchlien can lose some of its impact.
There’s something incredibly empowering about Campbell opening up about the full extent of her experiences and delving into the deeply personal. Her use of a sort of glib tone whilst discussing topics that are anything but is where a lot of her comedy stems from. Campbell’s structuring is very creative and shows a commitment to whatever bit that she’s propagating at a given moment, but also to pure humour, as she uses off-hand comments to burst a comparatively serious observations in a way where it acts as both a punchline and a self contained one liner, giving us almost double the expected comedy. It’s a cathartic expression of a very specific experience that unites the room in a kind of shared understanding.
This is a truly astonishing demonstration of comedic technique and appreciation for the art of storytelling through this medium. Grace Campbell Is On Heat is not only unmissable, but necessary viewing.
