Kate-Lois Elliott is a very talented individual. ‘How to Belong Without Joining a Cult’ isn’t her best work. The idea’s a winner, as testified to by a packed room at the Gilded Balloon Patter House when I stopped into review.
The show description is accurate, this is a set based on cults as experienced by close family members and herself, in so far as teenage girls operate cult like social groups. It should work. Kate-Lois is a confident, dynamic presence on stage, and she puts energy into every sentence.
So why is the laughter so polite?
I think part of the answer lies in Kate-Lois’s idea of each audience helping to design their own cult. Funny people walk amongst us, but the majority of offerings are unlikely to give much to work with.
“So whilst this isn’t the glowing review anyone wants, I’d still suggest going along to see Kate-Lois Elliot. If you do, please report back!”
Otherwise there is perhaps just a little much emphasis on the Millenial (Kate-Lois) vs Gen-Z perspective. By now, it’s the sort of thing that’s been done to death on stage and screen and it’s tricky to bring create something new.
Otherwise whilst Kate’s familial stories of the darker side of a genuine cult, the line between ‘that’s awful’ and ‘that’s funny’ is a bit blurry.
Kate’s at her funniest though when plunging into her own school days, the inhumanity of girl to girl, and her proclivity for acquiring horrible (sexy) boyfriends.
The other possibility, of course, is that – and it can happen to any comedian – the gig I reviewed simply didn’t click. Having interviewed Kate, I can confirm she is very quick-witted and immensely likeable. Her outlook on life is definitely amusing.
So whilst this isn’t the glowing review anyone wants, I’d still suggest going along to see Kate-Lois Elliot. If you do, please report back!
Show Details
Venue: Gilded Balloon Patter House – Bothie
Dates: Jul 31 Aug 1-18, 20-26
Showtimes: 16:00
Running Time: 1 hour
Age Recommendation: 18+
Price: From £8 (concessions available)
Accessibility
The performance space, ‘Bothie’, is wheelchair accessible.
The venue, ‘Gilded Balloon Patter House’, has provided the following accessibility information: ‘All bars and venues can be accessed by stairs or a building lift. Please speak to a member of staff on arrival if you require assistance or need to be entered into a venue early. For further access information about Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose visit our Accessibility Page: http://www.gildedballoon.co.uk/accessibility or email accessibility@gildedballoon.co.uk. Limited access to some parts of venue site, Wheelchair accessible toilet, No reserved accessible parking, On street blue badge parking, Assistance dogs welcome in all areas. Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose is situated on Chambers Street. The pavements are wide but become busy during the Festival. There are three stairs at the main entrance to the building. Those requiring use of the platform lift enter the building approximately three metres along from the stepped entrance. Members of staff in pink t-shirts are on hand to assist entrance and exits from the building’.
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