EDINBURGH 2012: BWW Reviews: CELIA PACQUOLA - DELAYED, August 1

Let me first say two things about Celia Pacquola; she has at best a suspect British accent and that under no circumstances should you take dance classes from this lady! Dodgy accents and dance moves aside, this Australian comic delivers an entertaining and energetic hour or so.

From high-fives to toilet roll, her mix of observational comedy and storytelling incorporates a variety of topics; all backed up by her eyes. Those intense eyes are always on hand to give an odd look to ensure a joke gets a laugh. The performance I saw was a preview but it felt very close to the finished article and was delivered as close to slickly as you’d want a show like this to be. Throughout the show she maintained a fairly steady stream of laughs and chuckles but did not get to the level of leaving anyone short of breath.  

Celia is now in her third stint at the Edinburgh festival and is hot off the back of a run at the Melbourne comedy festival. Live shows aside, she’s starting to make it onto televisions in the UK and already has an award-winning sitcom into its second series back in Australia; with a CV like this I’m not exactly going out on a limb when I say she’s funny. 

This show is likely to be almost everyone's cup of tea - it gives you a warm feeling and a bit of energy. On my way to the show I met a friend who grimaced when I told him I was going to see a female comedian. I would point even this man in Celia’s direction; she isn’t pushing any boundaries but she’s funny and just the right amount of weird.