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	theSpaces @ Surgeons Hall (venue website) Comedy 5-6, 8-13, 15-20 Aug, 9:35pm-10:25pm; 22-27 Aug, 6:05pm-6:55pm Reviewed by Alice de Cent
Recommended for age 14+ only.

Sarah Archer’s debut show Bumfluff and Brimstone looks at how our lives are shaped by the stories we’re told, and the ones we tell ourselves. It draws on her personal experiences of turning 40, coming out, and being the guinea pig for her father’s unorthodox parenting techniques.

The set is a bit lacking in laughter, with material that doesn’t cover much new ground. Archer’s delivery is laid back and conversational, but her one-liners stick out a little unnaturally. As do some of the more obviously invented punchlines to her personal anecdotes.

She’s certainly a bubbly storyteller, but she could work towards a more grounded performance to avoid giggling more than the audience odes. Working with a good director could perhaps enable Archer to achieve a more even performance. 

Archer shows potential, and there are some good moments in the show. With development, she may come into her own, but just now she’s not quite there yet.