Marty Gleeson’s new show Dog Ear takes audiences along for the ride inside her mind – meandering happily between her time as an art student in Limerick, the prospect of life as a bug, and how properly to handle a baby – occasionally whilst beating a bodhrán (a hand-held shaman drum). The hour enlists a fair scattering of props with three easels revealed dramatically within the set, absurd and somehow endearing character voices, and mood-ruling light changes. We are without a doubt seeing Gleeson perform in a world of their own.
Her observational comedy is sharp and authentic – Gleeson knows exactly where she wants to take her audience and why – though occasionally lacks the segues needed to keep the audience in toe with her quick style.
Moving through the hour, Gleeson pieces together the tried and tested (think David Attenborough as a bug) with new and more personally toned ruminations turned jokes. Silliness rules sense in delightfully easy laughs – “childs pose grows up so fast.” All throughout the absurdity, however, you never lose your sense of being in safe hands.
Gleeson shines most as a writer, perfecting slow set ups and punchlines that will consistently catch you off-guard, but is undoubtedly onto embodying the scale her visions slowly but surely in this new off-beat hour.
Marty Gleeson: Dog Ear is running until 30 August (not 17) at Bunker One at Pleasance Courtyard.
Buy tickets here.
Image courtesy of Rachel Sherlock.
