Review by Mhairi Sime
Arrive at the Edinburgh Fringe’s Pleasance Courtyard expecting cheeky reflections on lad culture and you get so much more. Chloe Petts: Big Naturals is a laugh-loaded hour that is as sharp as it is warm.
Join Chloe Petts on the hunt for a new role model as they explore masculinity and the impact of lad culture. They fuse a finely tuned, well-rehearsed set with playful live improvisation fueled by audience interaction.
While the show description promises a show about sex, the focus is elsewhere, as Petts opens up about their struggles expressing emotions to the tiny bisexual girls they date, framed in the after-effects of a childhood stealing glances at Page 3 and witnessing fights in the mosh pit at a Kasabian gig. As with all Chloe Petts sets, there are a lot of references to their love for football; this time instead of reminiscing on the latest failure of their home team, they are able to celebrate the success of their beloved Lionesses.
Petts is a natural storyteller, blending sharp punchlines with warmth and relatability. Discussing their family dynamics and coming out story, random angry men in pubs and Scouse football presenters, Petts has a talent for bringing the characters in their stories to life. With Petts returning to the Fringe for the fourth time with confidence, Big Naturals is an hour of comedy you don’t want to miss.
You Don’t Want to Miss
Chloe Petts: Big Naturals runs at The Pleasance Courtyard
Running time: Sixty minutes without interval