Directed by Taryn O’Connor
Review by Eve Nugent
Underbelly Cowgate – Buttercup
“You’ll never believe how he cheated!” is the six-word summary Britt Migs gave in her interview with Tom Inniss for VoiceMag, and it proves to be the perfect hook for her debut Fringe stand-up show Dolphin Mode. Over roughly 45 minutes, this up-and-coming American comedian blends dark humour with self-exposure, charting her messy divorce and the queer journey that followed.
The show opens with a video recording projected onto the backdrop – Migs is on the tube, listening to a soothing self-help audio guide that encourages her to be calm, “like a dolphin”. Relaxation, however, is impossible. Her fractured inner voices (all played by herself) interrupt with reminders of her “shallow” bisexuality and failed marriage. The clip ends as Migs bursts onstage in bright blue trousers, glorious auburn curls flowing, launching into a playful dance before diving headfirst into her story.
Much of the material focuses on the outrageous behaviour of her unfaithful ex-husband, sharply re-told with wit to become hilarious. She cleverly quantifies her one-year marriage to “seven times the length of Kim Kardashian’s marriage to Kris Humphries” – her humour feels fresh, sprinkled with similar Generation Z references, though it could be pushed further for younger audiences.
The performance is elevated by PowerPoint projections that flash up Instagram accounts and messages, awkward childhood photos, and homemade memes. These visuals boost the credibility of the comedian’s “truly bonkers story” with pitiless honesty – it is clear Migs doesn’t just want to make people laugh, but also help people going through something similar. As explained in the interview with Inniss, turning her difficult divorce into comedy became “the best way to process it”, and such sincerity shows.
Even if not wholly polished, Dolphin Mode is a promising performance, with Migs having been voted the Creator to Watch at the 2024 New York Comedy Festival. Directed with energy by Taryn O’Connor, she offers charisma and electric stage presence – her set is tied neatly in a bow with warmth and catharsis as she transforms her heartbreak into empowerment.
Offers Charisma and Electricity
Britt Migs: Dolphin Mode runs at Underbelly Cowgate – Buttercup
Running time: Forty-five 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!
