Gramsci quotations, silly drawings of megafauna and liberal usage of the C-word – Josie Long is back, baby. Returning for her first full Fringe show since 2022, Long is as full of hope and optimism and piss and vinegar as ever. While our world indeed has many contemporary monsters, Long is largely preoccupied by prehistoric ones, having been discovering them with her young daughter. But of course, this is Josie Long, and we can’t ignore the state of things for too long. Her show becomes a rallying cry, her enthusiasm sweeping you along with it as she leaps onto chairs and charges up the aisles. It’s a warm, inviting show, and its triumphant finale might have you daring to feel hopeful.

Pleasance Dome, until 24 Aug.
tw rating 5/5 | [Jon Stapley]