Sharp and punchy, Amelia Hamilton’s Forget Me Not is an innovative and modern take on how stand-up can be performed.
Through a blend of traditional stand-up skits and rap interludes, Hamilton creates an atmosphere that feels wholly immersive. The initial absurdity of an opening rap may feel jarring, yet it quickly sets the tone for what follows: unapologetic boldness.
Fuelled by audience interaction, Hamilton’s performance overflows with passion. Effortlessly relatable, she captures the complicated feelings of navigating adulthood and the overbearing expectations of leaving a legacy.
Over the course of an hour, Hamilton wins the audience over completely. Her warmth and confidence carry the reassurance of an older sister. Personal anecdotes about her supportive parents, womanhood, and the pressures of not being forgotten are interwoven with raps that showcase her sharp lyricism and catchy beats. Though blending stand-up with rap is a fine line to tread, Hamilton negotiates it with ease, ensuring the two forms complement rather than overshadow one another.
Her nihilistic finale comforts rather than depresses: a concluding rap reminds us that potential is overrated when we are all destined for the same end. Darkly comic yet strangely therapeutic, Forget Me Not leaves you feeling understood, less alone, and perhaps even inspired to take some practical steps—like finally opening an ISA account.
Forget Me Not ran until 24 August at Attic at Pleasance Courtyard.
More information can be found here.
Image courtesy of Rebecca Need-Menear, provided to The Student as press material.