Review by Eve Nugent
Alison Spittle waltzes onto the Monkey Barrel stage in her puffy, multicoloured tulle suit – a whimsical armour she soon sheds to reveal a glamorous, sparkly two-piece. From the offset, she disarms the audience with her total transparency, acknowledging her large size and recent weight loss. Exactly how much she has lost remains a secret, though she teases it is equivalent to the weight of either an XL Bulldog or a harp, relatable depending on what class you come from… What follows is a punchy, tightly paced hour of comedy that balances self-depreciating humour with sharp self-awareness. At the heart of the set is the life-threatening medical issue that prompted Spittle’s decision to lose weight, approached with equal wit and warmth.
The story begins with a brief but unforgettable argument on a train, where a man calls her fat and tells her to sit down – this moment of confrontation sets her on a path to change. Spittle’s stories of navigating health challenges as a larger woman are laced with quick, tension-easing one-liners; her show is sprinkled with recurring nods to Shrek, Lizzo and Adele, weaving pop culture touchpoints into personal storytelling. She shares her embarrassing hospital stories of oozing blisters, an eccentric daytrip to Thorpe Park with two comedian friends, a boot incident whilst skiing in France, a bottomless brunch turned day out at Shrek’s Adventure Land, just to name a few – never a dull moment.
Performing to a completely sold-out crowd – with a long waitlist queue outside the door – Spittle proves she is in high demand with her radiating charisma and charm. The performance feels polished yet not over-rehearsed, with her humanity shining through in off-the-cuff ad-libs and genuine audience interactions. The overall message of her set is clear and empowering: reclaim authority over your own body, and make the changes that only you desire.
A Beautiful Message
Alison Spittle: BIG runs at Monkey Barrel – Monkey Barrel 1
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval
Review by Eve Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Her primary devotion is acting, predominantly at Bedlam Theatre with her fellow students, but also with French group ‘Les Escogriffes’ who perform annually at the French Institute of Scotland.
Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she enjoys playing the flute, piano and guitar. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
