Kat Higgins: In Memory Of Me comedy review – Demanding a legacy
Kat Higgins debates what she will be remembered for in an hour of polished anecdotes, witty gags and tender undertones
Irish comedian Kat Higgins is a bit of a dickhead: her words, not ours. It’s what she suspects she will be remembered for. Her subsequent affable Fringe debut outlines exactly what a prick she is. A funny one it turns out. Moving through the potential reasons, Higgins seems to put the blame largely at catholicism’s door, which seems fair enough. Then there’s her da who seems to have trouble recognising his only daughter and there’s quite possibly an element of middle-child syndrome among other things.
Higgins tops off the show revealing a further reason, one that hits emotionally, putting a different slant on the knockabout nature of what’s come before. It’s signposted in the show’s blurb, but it will be more affecting if you don’t read that. Higgins is an engaging performer, navigating the audience with ease. She hooks in the entire crowd, whether you’re having flashbacks to enforced childhood priestly confession and holy communion prep, or have little clue of catholic rituals. She’s skilled, too, at keeping the energy up throughout in the warm tent she has been allocated. The gags are neatly penned and, with that poignant ending, the result is unexpectedly heartfelt.
Kat Higgins: In Memory Of Me, Hoots Nicolson Square, until 30 August, 5.10pm; picture: Andy Hollingworth.