Zoe Brownstone review: Razor-sharp jokes from a hopeless romantic
Edinburgh Fringe
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Edinburgh Fringe 〰️
Image: Dylan Woodley
by Zoe Paskett
Dating app fatigue is sweeping the world. No one wants to be on them and yet all those meet cutes you used to hear about seem more elusive a concept than ever. The hopeless romantics among us are longing to meet people out in the wild. A decade ago, I was asked out via a handwritten note slid across a library table (cute!), so I know it CAN happen! So why doesn’t it anymore??
Zoe Brownstone approaches her Edinburgh Fringe debut A Bite Of Yours like a romantic comedy: there’s the meet cute, the getting to know each other, all of the drama as life gets in the way, and the promise of a happy ending. Growing up in the golden age of rom-coms, the 90s, she’s determined to live this for herself.
Like me, Zoe is an eternal optimist, and a hopeless romantic. This badge of honour is put to the test when she meets a guy at her sister’s wedding and decides to move to the Netherlands to be with him.
As adept at delivering gags about destination weddings as musing on her parents’ divorce and questioning why on earth Dyson aren’t moving into the sex toy industry, she approaches every topic with gusto and charm. The combination of her confident storytelling ability and precise, razor-edged jokes make this the kind of show you’d be running to rent from Blockbuster on a Friday night. She might view herself as the quirky best friend but there’s no doubt this show puts her front and centre.
And that happy ending she promised? You’ll have to go and find out for yourself…
Zoe Brownstone: A Bite Of Yours is at Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Three) at 19:15. Tickets here
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“She’s dynamic and natural on stage, a simultaneously high-powered and relaxed stand-up.”
Getting to see Cooking With Kathryn is the perfect example of a welcome Fringe surprise – someone new to me and the Fringe, who has created something that fully reflects its anarchic, messy spirit. An absolute riot.
Gross in some places, soft in others, raucously fun all the way through. It’s a clown show that fully celebrates the joy of playing around. At every opportunity, Su takes the wilder option and runs with it.
Like the skirt suit she’s in search of, Baby Doomer is woven from honeyed threads. She wears both wonderfully. Can you plausibly call someone one of the greats this early in their career?
Marjolein’s perspective is a gift and Lein is another hypnotic, lyrical piece of work, and as funny as ever. Even if we haven’t all watched nuns trampolining in Amsterdam, being lost is a universal feeling.
I love all of it. Ayoade Bamgboye has the freshness of a new comedian performing without rules or restrictions. You truly have no idea what she might do next, and she makes it appear like she doesn’t either. It’s thrilling.
There are few people more naturally suited to the job at hand. Molly McGuinness’s debut Slob flows out of her with seemingly effortless dexterity.
I’ve been hearing rumblings of Ayo’s talent for a while and it’s immediately obvious why, both to me and this sold out crowd. His ease on stage, his delightful, sunny disposition and winning earnestness all combine to endear you to him straight away.
