I first saw Abi Clarke two years ago, when she was part of the Pleasance Comedy Reserve and while I was clearly impressed enough by her to want to see her again, I can say that in the years in between Clarke’s comedy and confidence has developed hugely, and it was a real delight to get to see someone improve so much.
Abi Clarke: Role Model is a refreshing and riotously funny exploration of how to navigate the murky waters of fame, social media, and self-perception. From the moment she steps on stage, Clarke’s infectious energy and charisma make you feel like you’re catching up with a slightly chaotic friend, who always seems to say what everyone else is a bit too scared to admit. This honesty quickly endears the audience to her.
Clarke dives headfirst into her experiences of being an “influencer”, questioning the pressures of being a role model, and whether she even is or should be. Role Model is full of observations about the expectations placed on influencers, especially women, in today’s society. She spends time dissecting the schadenfreude of America’s Next Top Model and sharing her own “pretty privilege” dilemmas, while keeping laughs flowing thanks to her great timing, charisma and natural humour.
The set flows well, with Clarke weaving together personal anecdotes, sharp one-liners, and some of the best audience interaction I’ve seen, all looping back to her central theme. I love a well used prop, so I really enjoyed the use of a projector and a tally chart, as it added to the show and engaged the audience.
Abi Clarke: Role Model is a great example of some seriously skilled stand-up, and is a perfect blend of humour and heart. Her ability to address serious topics like feminism and body image with a comic twist is refreshing and thought-provoking. Clarke may claim she’s not a role model, but with performances like this, she’s clearly a star on the rise and so I advise you to catch her now before the tickets become impossible to find. I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Abi Clarke: Role Model is at Pleasance Courtyard until August 25 at 7.40pm
Buy tickets here.
Image via Pleasance Press Office