Zainab Johnson has a gun. And an opossum. And one hell of a show in Toxically Optimistic.
The American comedian and actress takes her talents across the pond to debut at the Edinburgh Fringe. With shock factor, blunt expression, and a devotion to delivering her jokes, Johnson firms herself as a standout for comedy this year.
She had bought a house when one of her friends suggested her to buy a gun. From there, it’s almost as if the first half of the gig was a comedy sketch on firearm knowledge; the term “Glock” isn’t slang but a brand name, Zainab Johnson is a fantastic shot, and in California if someone breaks into your house and you injure them, they could sue you.
To a primarily British (or, better yet, non-American) audience, this may be deemed irrelevant. But Zainab Johnson enthrals anyone and everyone to her life, opinions, and character through her comedy. Take the opossum, for example.
To refrain from spoiling a major facet of the wonder of Toxically Optimistic, Eugene the opossum is something of brilliance. The account itself is wonderful, but the purpose of Johnson including him in her show is even better. That itself is worth the ticket.
Yet there is so much more to Johnson’s set that you’ll be referencing it to your friend you saw it with for weeks to come. It is something new, something bold, something unique that keeps you laughing. In contrast, it is comforting, as if you are catching up with an old friend. Johnson manages to balance the two in a droll dance with confidence and candour.
If comedy was something you could taste, you would be going back for seconds for Zainab Johnson’s show. Her Fringe debut is — in one word — sublime.
Zainab Johnson:Toxically Optimistic is running until 24 August at Pleasance Courtyard (Above).
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Avalon Comedy, provided to The Student as press material.