REVIEW - CHARLIE RUSSELL AIMS TO PLEASE

Charlie Russell is an original member of Mischief Comedy, she’s appeared in Mischief classics The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong. She’s also starring in two of Mischief’s shows at the Fringe this year, Mischief Movie Night, and her own one-woman show, Charlie Russell Aims to Please.

As the name suggests, Russell is a people pleaser, something I’m sure many of us can relate to. Russell passes around stickers, which she explains you can only put on if she has genuinely pleased you.

The show begins with Russell asking the audience what shows they like or what other shows they are booked to see at the Fringe. Some of the audience’s suggestions included The Play That Goes Wrong, Austentatious and improvisational comedy.

Russell then performs a variety of short sketches, including a dramatic scene in which she takes on a Southern American accent, a 2-minute monologue of the Bard’s best quotes, a slapstick musical number and even plays Enrique Iglesias’ ‘Hero’ on the kazoo.

Russell’s comedic timing and delivery is impeccable, she also displays beautiful vocals in the musical number. There is then a stand-up segment where the show takes a contrasting, dramatic turn. For this section, Russell is intense and heartfelt in her delivery, elevating the performance by giving it a deeper meaning.

Charlie Russell Aims To Please displays effectively how difficult being a people pleaser can be. It highlights that when you pour into other people’s cups you leave yourself empty. And sometimes the person you need to please most is yourself. This show is touching and relatable, Russell is an exceptional comedian and a skilled performer. And one thing is for certain… Charlie Russell definitely pleased me.

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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