Amy G: Entershamement

Entershamement marks the return of Amy G (née Gordon) to the Fringe after ten years away. We must do everything in our power to ensure she is never again absent for so long.

Those familiar with Gordon will know her infamous specialities, and those who aren't should not have the surprise spoiled. It suffices to say that Gordon, a "revolutionary cabaret comedian", is a virtuoso of physical comedy (proving the old slapstick adage that you need to be a genius to fall on your ass), as well as a brilliant, insightful standup and a truly sensational singer. She thus crafts a performance of enormous variety, constant hilarity and refreshing intelligence.

Despite her fondness for sequins, ballads and unreliable bosoms, Gordon easily outgrows the confines of burlesque; she roller-skates on to what can best be described as vaudeville, though with far greater compexity, daring and heart than that term implies. Her aim is to overcome her own sense of shame – as the show's slogan puts it, "make fun of the monster in the mirror." At one point, she becomes a chicken.

Perhaps even more astonishingly, she provides audience interaction with a philosophy that justifies it, avoiding the boorish blackmail that infects so much of the Fringe. Gordon mocks herself far more than the audience, and in a show about defeating shame, it would make no sense to humiliate anyone. Instead, Gordon believes we can all have fun doing silly things without feeling bad about ourselves. It is an assertation she confirms magnificently.