Many stand-ups use the idea of a nervy, neurotic persona as part of their acts. But Conaty’s particular brand of nervousness is more extrovert than most. Her eye for coaxing humour out of awkward misunderstandings and anecdotes exudes a real warmth and charm – and as a result produces a brilliant atmosphere at this late afternoon show. The comics goofy eagerness, marking each successful routine with a self-conscious giggle, is very endearing.The pressure of having to build on the promise of winning Best Newcomer at last year’s Fringe hasn’t knocked her stride at all. Though the material isn’t in itself particularly innovative – even touching on subjects as well-trodden as her apprehensions towards technology – her ability to enliven it with her endearing perspective creates an atmosphere that rallies the audience around her. She creates the kind of environment where people feel encouraged to join in and she works the outbursts of the crowd, alongside her own conversations with the front row, to create a communal atmosphere that buffers her material. This creates the perfect intimate setting for her riffs on the idea of the possibility of being made to appear ‘destiny’s dickhead’ in a variety of situations. The embarrassing proximity between students at a yoga class, worrying over the correct etiquette for sharing a roller-coaster with a stranger, and a great closing routine recounting her 12-year-old self accidentally discovering a porn film and assuming it was about a strange martial art – all of these are great platforms displaying Conarty’s panache and attention-to-detail.As this very solid show closed, Conaty bowed gratefully then almost triped over the microphone on exit. Despite the masterly control of the audience and the material that she displays, this incident seems somehow fitting to round off a show she describes as a catalogue of the clumsy personal misfortunes that make her the dickhead of destiny. When she is as convincing and engaging as the dickhead, she reminds us we are fated in the same way as well.
