Festival Fringe Reviews
- Seriously Funny - with Diana Sinclair

- Rating ****

Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
Diana Sinclair This is Diana Sinclair's debut as a Fringe performer, a one-woman show described as stand up comedy for the over 40s. Now professionally launched on her performance career, this lady is sure to go far. Diana is a born raconteur, storyteller and astute observer of people and everyday life. With a background in social work and conference after-dinner speaking, she has always helped people see humour in hardship. It was a friend who witnessed her natural comic talent and commented that she was a seriously funny woman. Hence the title of this show.

Working without a set script, Diana changes the tune each day, adding topical comments on local or world events, her Scottish childhood in Broughty Ferry, social observations, stories and anecdotes based on her own experiences. She describes with hilarious results, the problems of how to wear a thong the right way round so that she can walk in comfort, and also on a fashion note, she asks just how do women carry an evening clutch bag when at the same time try to drink, eat and shakes hands with style. Other topics cover University courses, her teenage Saturday job in a baker, old fashioned saucepans and the upside down world of basins and bowls and other curious English/Scottish colloquialisms.

Apart from a table with a few props, Diana stands centre stage or walks about in characterisation. A little too much walking about - perhaps perching on a stool would suit certain anecdotes. Through her outrageous sense of humour, razor- sharp wit and above all her delightful portrait of people and behaviour, we empathise and laugh - at ourselves and her oblique look on life. Diana Sinclair is a kind of stage philosopher, admitting that life is a challenge so the best thing to do is, as Monty Python team would advise, always look on the bright side of life.

When and Where
Runs to 24th August, at 1100 am at Carlton Hotel, North Bridge, Venue C Central.


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