Hannah Gadsby – The Cliff Young Shuffle

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Award-winning Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby visits the Fringe this year with a show inspired by walking. You might think that’s somewhat slim pickings for an extended set—or at least a funny one—but the end product has the audience in stitches. 

To great effect, she draws the audience into a tale of frustration and anger, telling of her less-than-fun trek from one coast of England to the other. Not only did Gadsby have no prior experience of hiking, to her the idea of physical exertion was all but alien. She renders the story so vividly that you can almost imagine yourself standing on a hill looking down at that little black dot, wondering how long it will be until she quits and goes back to her armchair. From the very beginning, she forges a bond with her audience, and with a routine that is impressively solid, Gadsby has an exceptional set on her hands.

With complete assurance, she eases herself into jokes about depression—a tricky and at times alienating topic—only to receive cheers of approval from the crowd. Some will know exactly what she’s talking about, but even those who might struggle to relate are given a way in. Despite Gadsby dealing with more than a few anger-management issues, hers is an unexpectedly joyful hour, planting her firmly within the great tradition of Australian comedians at the Fringe.