Pam Ford presents a friendly and funny stand-up show focussing on her past career as a hairdresser. She’s an endearing storyteller with an infectious laugh and her tales of salon experiences make for a very enjoyable lunch hour. She could just as well be sharing these stories over a sandwich in the staff room, such is the relaxed and easy atmosphere she creates.
Ford doesn’t have much to offer, however, by way of inventive comedy. At least half her set is dedicated to observations she’s made about trips to the hairdressers and almost all of these are comments the audience themselves have probably remarked to friends after venturing to the salon for a new ‘do. ‘Haven’t you noticed they never get the temperature of the water quite right?’ asks Ford. ‘Yes,’ replies the audience internally, ‘So what?’ She presents a few ideas that are more original and have the audience giggling in recognition but this is at best very stock observational comedy.
There’s a fair bit to enjoy here. Ford is at her best when sharing her personal stories - these are what make her such charming company - and she unveils a very silly finale which has the audience buzzing. However there’s not quite enough substance to hold the attention for the entire hour. The audience leaves happily enough, but with the dull notion that they’ve been tricked into a show that promises secrets: there’s nothing here they didn’t know already.
