Harriet Kemsley is easy-breezy about the fact that her life as she knew it has been falling apart for the last year. Look closely and there’s a frantic energy which belies the flippancy. Kemsley had a terrific stage presence: she’s instantly likeable whilst rattling off a series of life events which would be enough to give most a minor breakdown. Talking a mile a minute through self-deprecating anecdotes means there is a lot of content packed into the hour. Does some of this material threaten to veer into gossip? Absolutely. Do I enjoy this? Absolutely. The show feels like checking in with a friend who’s really determined to make lemonade out of the lemons pelted at her with astute observation.

Monkey Barrel Comedy, until 12 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Louise Jones]