Known mostly for her portrayal of a “Posh West London Mum” on her popular social media accounts, the lovable internet comedian Imogen Andrews is taking the Fringe stage for the first time this summer. In her debut show The Unlikeable Worms, the comedian brings her most popular characters, as well as some new friends, to life on a much bigger and more elaborate scale than ever.
Andrews is not only able to translate but undeniably enhance her ensemble of wacky characters in the live format. The characters themselves, including the sassy London estate agent attempting to rent out the venue to the audience, or the ditsy Reform representative teaching a self-defence class against the needy, are dead-on and offer both silliness and razor sharp commentary.
In just one hour Andrews fits in several distinctly different personalities, each more hilariously unlikeable than the last. However, in the moments where she does take the stage as herself, she is endearing and self-aware, adding personal connection to the larger-than-life personalities. While Andrews gives her own lighthearted reasons as to why she’s not as confident in performing as herself, I think these moments were helpful refreshments in an otherwise very fast-paced and playfully chaotic performance.
The show ambitiously blends elements of traditional stand-up comedy, impressions, and both live and video skits, and it does so with an impressive seamlessness. With just a handful of props on stage, the comedian uses each to its full advantage, cleverly incorporating them into the different worlds of each character. The stand-out is her use of a shower tent which at different points serves as a recording studio and an iron lung.
Andrews changes in and out of her costumes on stage, and in character, which allows the audience to process the quick transition into her next bit as her practical elements catch up to her physicality. The video elements, aided by a projector screen on stage, are well-done and mostly enhance the live performances, although at times run the risk of becoming gimmicky, as with some of the other technical elements.
The comedian is also helped by one backup performer, who wears a balaclava throughout the whole show and is sometimes used as a placeholder or punchline for physical comedy, which makes some of the scenarios feel slightly more dynamic. As her characters are purposefully unlikeable, their interactions with the audience were at times, uncomfortably awkward, which I don’t think always worked in the comedian’s favour.
Overall, with this debut show, Imogen Andrews certainly succeeds in transitioning from screen to stage. The comedian proves herself to be anything but unlikeable, and a more than worthy newcomer.
Imogen Andrews: The Unlikeable Worms is running until the 31st of August at Ace Dome at the Pleasance Dome. Buy Tickets here.
Photo by Em Goodman, provided To The Student for press use
