Performed by Bryn Woz as Entendre Entendre
Review by Hunter King
Deep in the bowels of Assembly Roxy in a room where the thumping of the venue one room over can be distinctly heard is a hidden gem named Bryn Woz or, as she introduced herself to the audience Entendre Entendre. From the start it is clear that Woz is a jack of all trades. Throughout the show she recites poetry, sings, tells jokes, interacts with the audience, and of course strips; it is a burlesque show after all.
Immediately Bryn captures the audience with her larger than life personality, or as she’d likely pronounce it in her distinctly transatlantic accent, poisunality. Entendre Entendre feels like a character pulled straight out of a (perhaps adult animation) cartoon. She enraptures the audience with her storytelling and never loses grasp, even as the show goes from over the top comedy to a more poignant and moving observation of regrets and love lost.
One task that often is difficult for performers to accomplish at the Fringe is the opportunity to both win the audience over on a comedic level, as well as spill their hearts on the stage and feel justified. Bryn does just that with ease and makes Entendre feel less like a character and more innately human. The journey of watching a fun and loud burlesque queen turn distinctly human and reconciling with very real difficulties was seamless and felt earned.
The tech and Woz operate incredibly effectively, with the tech team able to keep up with all of Woz’s bits that require sound and light cues and come quite quickly. The show overall felt like it was intensely rehearsed, but not in a disconcerting way. It is clear that Woz has carefully crafted each story element to ensure that the overall show was as successful as it could be.
Perhaps the funniest moment of the night came when Woz looked for an audience volunteer, picking a completely unexpecting Demi Adejuyigbe who clearly was not prepared for what was to come, despite his improv skills, which may be most recognizable from his appearances on Dropout’s Game Changer. Woz worked with Adejuyigbe in a way that clearly considered consent, but still had the classic raunchiness and raucousness of audience participation in the Fringe.
Woz blends perfectly between her perky, positive, and pantoesque character to the grounded reality that she clearly has experience with. By the end of the hour she will make you feel like you should go to Vegas, but also call your therapist.
Enrapturing
Bryn Woz: SMUT runs Venue 139, Snug Bar at Assembly Roxy, 21:10
Running time – Sixty minutes
Photo credit – Rah Peteridge
Review by Hunter King (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Hunter is a 2024 Master’s graduate of the University of Edinburgh and current doctoral candidate with a thesis focused on experimental theatre in Edinburgh. He has been a theatre practitioner for over a decade having worked in many capacities including as a director, actor, stage manager, front of house manager, and technician as well as others. Prior to moving to Edinburgh, Hunter was a high school English teacher in the United States. His passion for the written word as well as his passion for live performance are what motivated him to become a writer for this publication.
