Self-proclaimed “big lady” Lou Wall presents a multimedia comedy erratic sensation, which asks a funny, but surprisingly understandable question: where are all the tall grandmothers? Similarly, where is Lou Wall? As video installations declare the comedian’s dominance at hide and seek, Wall is nowhere to be seen within the 1960s-style living room set on stage. Suddenly the hideously old-fashioned armchair in the centre of the stage begins to shake, and Lou Wall emerges gleefully.
At 6ft 5, Wall frequently receives comments about their tall stature, particularly from “little old ladies” understandably due to the disproportionate height difference between them. However, this left the comedian questioning why there are no “big old ladies.” In a mockumentary style video format, Wall sets out looking for the tall older women, as the screens display footage of them running around IKEA, ALDI at 7am, and Wetherspoons, frantically interviewing members of the public.
Throughout the performance, Wall breaks into rap, replays prank phone calls, and recounts email correspondences. Wall suggests that the significance of size is something unnaturally manipulated by the human race, as they turn to the animal kingdom referring to specific female species that are more dominant in size.
In a starkly uncomical twist, Wall’s correspondence with various medical institutions reveals that the absence of tall grandmas is due to the interference of medical professionals between the 1960s-1990s, as medical professionals prescribed puberty inducing pills to stunt women’s growth. This stemmed from 20th Century social concerns such as “reducing social awkwardness” and helping women find romantic partners.
The comedian reflects on their own confidence about their height and their acceptance that this interference directly affected members of their family. Despite this, the show ends on a high note, as Wall reveals their 5ft 11 mum is soon to become a tall grandmother.
The show emphasises the importance of being comfortable in your own skin, and embracing quirks that seem socially irregular. With Wall frequently referring to themselves as a big lady in a way that reshapes the social stigmas and celebrates the tallness within their own family lineage.
Lou Wall: Where are all the tall grandmas? Is running until the 30th of August at at Monkey Barrel Comedy. Buy tickets here.
Image by Rachel Sherlock, provided to The Student for press use.
