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Katia Kvinge: 140 Karakters

Madcap surreal greatness coud be just around the corner
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Katia Kvinge: 140 Karakters

Madcap surreal greatness coud be just around the corner

Performed with unshakeable exuberance, Katia Kvinge's show is a madcap mission to introduce the audience to 140 different characters in one breathless hour. Sure, that means taking a few liberties here or there (a church choir apparently ‘in camouflage’ accounts for 30-odd) and there’s some imaginative maths from the audience member in charge of counting them. But that’s still an awful lot of material to pack into one show.

Unfortunately, there's often a sacrifice of quality in favour of sheer quantity; she delivers accents and impressions by the van-load, but while they're largely pretty accurate, a lot of them aren't really saying anything incisive or funny. The transitions between characters are a bit awkward too with the kaleidoscopic effect she’s going for a bit lost in pauses and hurried glances at notes.

These wobbles aside, there's plenty to like here, and Kvinge's sheer determination to take her audience along for a ride is infectious. Her best stuff is also her silliest: 'girl who loves jazz but can't do the noises' is inspired and 'girl who turns into Sméagol when complimented' induces plenty of helpless giggles. Right now this is patchy but fun, and with a bit more selectiveness, Katia Kvinge could be on the route to surreal character greatness.

Just the Tonic at The Caves, 0330 220 1212, until 29 Aug, 7.45pm, free.

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