Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

Susan Harrison: Should I Still Be Doing This?

 
Lily Crooke Review by Lily Crooke 4 Published: 1 Aug 2025 Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

Munching on her own marshmallow Sindy doll cheeks and breaking character to giggle at her own jokes, Susan Harrison’s love of comedy — and seemingly infinite energy levels — shine through in her brand-new show. Although Harrison first came to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2009, Should I Still Be Doing This? makes it refreshingly clear that she is no jaded veteran of the festival. Armed with just a few changes of clothing, she switches with ease from Gen-Alpha podcaster to aggressive stuffed panda to… a girl stuck in a well swallowed by a middle-aged woman? Yep, you heard that right.

She brings heart and energy to her characters as if it were her first time at the Fringe.

Despite the bizarre line-up of characters, Should I Still Be Doing This? feels surprisingly relevant to modern day-to-day life. Whether we’re being assailed by targeted ads, listening to a hyperactive podcaster, navigating the precarity of freelance work or ogling zoo animals having sex, she’s right — there is something bizarre about the way we live our lives.

Harrison never reaches the dangerous realms of Fringe PR stunt inanity or cheap caricature. Instead, her characters are brought to life with sharp wit, a healthy dose of compassion and some gentle audience participation. Sometimes the punchlines can get slightly lost among an ageing contortionist’s limbs or oversized panda onesie, but Harrison ultimately keeps the show on track with her indomitable enthusiasm.

The catchy songs, composed by Jordan Paul Clarke of ShowStopper: The Improvised Musical, are well delivered by Harrison and will have you humming along even after the lights come up. Although she has a history of improv, Harrison’s interaction with the audience doesn’t quite match the sharpness of her written material — but this is sure to grow as she settles into the run.

Although Harrison wonders aloud whether she should still be donning silly outfits and accents for a living, she brings heart and energy to her characters as if it were her first time at the Fringe. It may be wacky, unadulterated fun, but one can’t help but smile and feel at ease with Harrison on stage. Should I Still Be Doing This? is an original, joyful show that is sure to entertain and surprise — and in so doing, answers its own question: yes!

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

Award-winning character-comedian Susan Harrison presents a brand-new show, featuring a host of joyfully bizarre characters including an unconfident Sindy doll, a woman who's swallowed a girl in a well and a 90's panda. Is it ok to still be dressing up as weird characters as you get older? Join Susan as she tries to find out, whilst dressing up as weird characters. Directed by Ben Target. Seen/heard in: Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, Mischief Movie Night, BBC Radio 4. 'First class comic acting' (Guardian). 'A fantastic character comedian' (Chortle.co.uk).