Review: Elaine Robertson: Delulu

Elaine Robertson explores the concept of ‘delulu’, short for delusional, in her first hour at the Fringe. Effortlessly balancing singing, dancing, self-reflection and even some educational material, she proves that she’s more than just a Northern lass telling jokes.

Growing up in County Durham, Robertson never saw the need to move anywhere else. She speaks fondly of her family and wild karaoke outings, worlds apart from the culture shock she experienced at Oxford University, where she thrived, nonetheless. Robertson is so confident that she’s delusional, a trait she shares with her father, whilst simultaneously thinking she’s the worst person in the world.

She tells her stories with understated humour rather than elaborate jokes, not afraid to pull the rug from underneath the audience to address serious issues. She reveals what it’s like to live with phychosis, and just as everyone moved on from talking about Covid, she provides a refreshingly engaging account of her experiences working in a care home during the pandemic.

The show is a bit unpolished at times, but the roughness is part of Robertson's charm. Delulu is a beautiful love letter to Oxbow lakes, the residents of her hometown, and the elderly friends she made in a time of crisis, in one of the most authentic performances you’ll see at the Fringe this year.