Review by Gabriel Rogers

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose – The Other Yin: Tickets

In Beverly Live! Jamie Denbo’s alter ego, Beverly Ginsberg, is the outrageously funny Jewish grandmother you always wished you had! The show begins as Beverly strolls onto the Gilded Balloon stage sporting fluorescent pink trousers and a purple t-shirt which spells “I Heart Lesbians”. This, she explains, is a show of support for one of her daughters, who could be a lesbian or might just be asexual, although she can’t really remember which. So begins an hour in which Denbo’s absurd alter ego seamlessly moves from one “problematic” topic to another. The audience is treated to a comedic whirlwind that covers Beverly’s thoughts on Israel-Palestine, J.K. Rowling, and even her own Essential Oil pyramid scheme!  

Beverly’s “problematic” subject matter is left to the judgement of Sarah Alice Shull, a brilliant comedian with her own show at the Fringe Something To Believe In. Shull, who Denbo lovingly refers to as Sas, takes to the stage armed with a bell. The ringing of Sas’ bell signifies that Beverly has said something problematic. This is used often throughout the performance as Beverly takes pleasure in finding exactly where Sas’ line in the sand sits. One of these moments occurs when Beverly defends disgraced Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice on the account he is Italian and therefore “can’t help” being a bit touchy. It is Sas’ bell which forces her to question the validity of her argument. Instead, she hilariously explains that she herself wouldn’t mind being touched by an Italian occasionally. These interruptions add to the overall atmosphere of Denbo’s work as Beverly and Sas interact like a grandmother and granddaughter would, jokingly swiping at one another and taking the piss out of each other’s hangups. This is further exacerbated when Beverly invites the brilliant Sarah Hester Ross of Sarah Hester Ross Is Live onto the stage, and the duet becomes a three-piece.  

Denbo’s comedy is extraordinarily clever and subtle. Through her alter ego Beverly, Denbo is able to poke fun at the stereotypical grandparent who steps over the line of what is socially acceptable. However, at no point is Beverly offensive – a nice change from comedians who rely more on shocking, in-your-face comedy than clever satire or wit. In comparison, Denbo meanders through complex subject matter and can make light of sensitive topics like the Holocaust or Gaza without her comedy ever feeling nasty or insensitive. It was an absolute delight to watch.   

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