Irish comedian Gráinne Maguire is warm and approachable from the start. How much of this is playing into her Irishness - which she uses considerably in her show - I'm not too sure. However it did immediately set her up as a voice with which the audience can relate to, albeit an occasionally slightly kooky one.
Her show focused on the difference between stories, namely the stories we tell ourselves', and reality. She outlines the typical story as the hero's journey, with a quest, obstacles, killing the father figure and a realisation before, ultimately, resolution.
Going on to tell us the stories from her own life, it becomes evident that she is following the hero's trajectory herself almost without realising it until it becomes obvious. The realisation and resolution she comes to makes the whole show seem far more profound than initially imagined.
The content within this storyline is varied and interesting, with much made of national stereotypes, and her position as a female comedian. While there are some brilliantly astute moments of razor sharp comedy and satire, many also fell flat where punch-lines, potentially down to her kookiness, just didn't hit the mark.
Moving on to more hard-hitting material on abortion laws in Ireland was where she really shone, obviously speaking on an issue that she personally felt very strongly about. Relaying the story of how she live-tweeted her periods to the Irish PM, she highlighted the ridiculous nature of state intervention in women's reproductive health in a way that was both utterly funny and utterly serious.
Fun and interesting and although her material wasn't consistently funny she does have moments where she brilliantly taps into real issues.
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Gráinne Maguire is performing at the Pleasance Courtyard at 19:15. Tickets and more information can be found on the Fringe website.
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