With the brash vocals of an Australian zookeeper addressing an unruly tour group, Davis commands the room, immediately taking charge with her distinct brand of offbeat comedy.
Davis endears us with her distinct brand of offbeat comedy
Throwing light and shade, Davis also offers us a softer side, dedicating the show to her late friend Paul and the many in-jokes they shared. Having previously performed this show in character, Davis now drops the shtick (but keeps the hat) finally ready to show her audiences the real Laura.
Thankfully, the real Laura is just as odd as what I imagine her stage persona to be. As Laura, she tears off her shirt mid-set and mounts a central pillar to show us how good a demagogue she could be. Gawky but loveable with an understandable aversion to the world outside, Davis keeps us safe within her clutches, touching on widespread topics, from 'paedos' to the unethical nature of zoos.
Never predictable and enjoying her forays into uncharted territory, Davis wonders if her set isn’t more of a manifesto than a comedy. And though she argues that people can’t tell when she’s joking, I’d say she’s hilarious throughout.
Keenly aware of herself, Davis also discusses her inability to connect with people off-stage. In understanding her limitations, however, Davis endears us to her further, humble and unpretentious in her manner, and all the funnier for it.
