Presented by Andrea Coleman

Review by Laurie Kimmett

Playground 1 at ZOO Playground

When you think of lawyers in media, you might think of Elle Woods and her signature pink. Or Annalise Keating from How To Get Away With Murder. Maybe even Erin Brockovich, her unorthodox yet effective methods changing lives. All of these pale in comparison to the powerhouse that is Andrea Coleman. 

Coleman is an attorney from Brooklyn, New York. She’s also a comedian, writer, and performer, and is equally skilled in all of these disciplines. In 3 Times I Killed, Coleman walks the audience through three cases she handled in New York, and how she handled the pressure of each one. There’s a twist though – in these three cases, Coleman was visited by something she labels ‘the Divine’. The Divine speaks to Coleman, giving her advice on each case. Usually it’s advice she really doesn’t want to take, but it’s advice that really works. 

It’s a bare set, with one single folding chair. There’s no visual interest onstage, very minimal tech, and only one performer. But goddamn does Coleman carry the story like any Broadway or West End shebang. She’s lively, warm, fascinating to listen to, and generous to the audience. 

And don’t get it twisted – despite a major focus of the show being communication with the Divine, this isn’t remotely preachy. The Divine isn’t shown entirely some otherworldly, omniscient being. In fact, it comes across more as a particularly annoying friend that’s giving you the advice you need but really don’t like the sound of. Despite the individual experience Coleman describes, it’s still somehow incredibly relatable.

The strength of this show is undoubtedly Coleman. Sat in that room, it is so easy to forget the rest of the audience is there. Instead, it feels like one is at brunch with Coleman, and she’s relaying her crazy work stories from the night before. It takes true skill to achieve that kind of intimacy in a large space, but Coleman does it with ease. Do yourself a favour – don’t miss out on this show.

---