Just The Tonic @ The Caves
Comedy
2-13, 15-26 Aug, 4:00pm-5:00pm

Occasionally in this job, we have the privilege of stumbling on an unexpected treasure.  And that’s what happened when we dropped in on Canadian stand-up Mae Martin, in a room above a pub at last month’s Brighton Fringe.  She might not yet be a household name, but at the tender age of 24 Martin’s already reached the finals of the Musical Comedy Awards and the Hackney New Act of the Year… and with her free-flowing routine themed on the end of the world, we predict further success in Edinburgh this August.

Despite her relative youth, Martin’s already found her feet as a performer, wrote our reviewer Darren Taffinder; and more than that, there’s an exciting sense that she’s just starting to stretch her legs.  Combining stand-up, songs, and a remarkably credible Julia Roberts impression, her Brighton set proved both fun and likeable, with the only disappointment that the performance had to come to an end.

The parody songs are a highlight, Darren said, with a intervals of controlled improvisation adding variety from day to day.  One word of warning – despite its early hour and Martin’s sweetly innocent publicity shots, the language makes this firmly a show for grown-ups.  But if you’re ready for some warm-hearted stand-up at four in the afternoon, we’ll bet the zombie apocalypse will never seem so appealing.