Chelsea Birkby: Is In Full Control The Entire Time comedy review – Self-help shenanigans
Chelsea Birkby combines philosophical musings, PowerPoints and eclectic props in a test of free will
All stand-up involves manipulation of the audience to a degree, but Chelsea Birkby is exploring the nature of control itself in her latest hour. The winsome comic and philosophy graduate has essentially landed upon an enquiring, pop psychology approach to her comedy career, which neatly marries personal disclosure with social commentary. And she delivers her latest PowerPoint-enabled presentation with typical recourse to an only mildly tongue-in-cheek, business-like style. From the magician who read her mind, forcing her to question the concept of free will, to the go-getting self-help books by Tony Robbins pushed on her by her mother, Birkby questions how true we remain to our values in the pursuit of our desires.
It’s a very real consideration for an act who closely studies the demographics of their audience but doesn’t want to be seen to be pandering. From the violent stage prop of her presentation clicker to the costume change she embraces for her fierce alter ego, Birkby brings an engaging silliness to even the darkest aspects of control. But the show isn’t simply throwaway. Birkby is of an age and situation where she has to start making major life decisions, even as the stress of them causes her health issues. Always watchable, this is another consistently funny hour from her.
Chelsea Birkby: Is In Full Control The Entire Time, Pleasance Courtyard, until 30 August, 9.45pm; picture: WR Cox.