Jessica Fostekew: Brave New Word

Jessica Fostekew likes words. One might think that, among standup comedians this wouldn't be all that unusual. Yet it's surprisingly rare to find one who takes such heartfelt and imaginative joy in language and its possibilities. Fostekew charmingly invites the audience to share her passion, and over one jam-packed hour, takes us on a consistently hilarious and surprisingly educational journey through etymology, neologisms, double meanings and nominative determinism.

Cleverly acknowledging that she is teaching her audience as much as making them laugh, Fostekew treats her performance like a school lesson, albeit on the last day of school, when the games come out and everyone is giddy with anticipation for summer fun. It's an appropriate device to frame the show, as Fostekew has the bouncy energy and attitude of a precocious and endlessly mischievous schoolgirl – an energy the audience quickly finds infectious.

An hour is typically regarded as the perfect length of time for Fringe standup, not too much, not too little –though there are precious few comedians who can sustain the laughs for half that time. The worst one can say about Brave New Word—which elegantly encompasses history, maths, politics, romance, childhood nostalgia, a suitcase full of props and an off-stage voice of God (who is a pervert, apparently)—is that it comes to an end too quickly, leaving us wanting more. Nevertheless, it will doubtless win Fostekew a host of new fans, and deservedly so.