Juliette Burton opens her new show, No Brainer, clad in a t-shirt emblazoned with the typically Burtonesque "Brains are the new tits". With her traditional upbeat affability and infectious self-deprication, she wins the audience over instantly and forms a strong rapport with everyone in the room, making it clear that this is a Safe Space.
She wins the audience over instantly and forms a strong rapport with everyone in the room, making it clear that this is a Safe Space
No Brainer is a fun and engaging show, great for any self-identifying geeks who would like a bit of insight into psychology, and in particular, Juliette's. Here is an act who has clearly spent vast amounts of time working on self-improvement and getting to know herself, as is evident from her stage persona and the openness with which she confides in her audience. It's a genuine thrill to see someone having so much fun on stage, and she will doubtless prove an inspiration to many who suffer from issues relating to mental health and body dysmorphia and struggle to comprehend or articulate their ailments.
Burton is as frank and open about her plight as comics get, sharing deep, personal and relatable struggles with a juxtaposing joie de vive. Even when sharing emotionally weighty monologues, she's unable to suppress atmosphere-enhancing smirks. The content of the show is interesting and you'll come out learning a fair bit about the brain, psychology, and perhaps, even, yourself.
The section on the increasingly-discussed Dunning-Kruger effect and its horrifying comedy update was a highlight. That said, although I enjoyed the show at the time, a day later, there was nothing specific that stayed with me, as with her past shows, that had more of a layered moral to give an audience something to really digest and feel a part of. Retrospectively, this felt more autobiographical than an attempt to have an impact on lives after your hour with her. I'm sure other members will feel a deeper connection to the material though, and if you're on the fence, I'd strongly urge you to fall onto the side of: going. Should be a no brainer.
