Mike Dorey
Welcome to your first date with Canadian singer and comedian Lou Laurence. Sure, there’s dozens of other people in the room also on a date with her and sure you had to pay to see her face to face but come on people; when you see how charming and endearing this woman is you’ll forget all about those unimportant details.
Lou is a multitalented performer: singer, musician, comedian, improviser and just a downright charming human being. Together, she takes us through what she believes to be the three most important aspects of a first date (that’s the title of the show if you didn’t figure that out already). Her content covers the aspects of living in a bilingual country, the importance of breaking the ice and establishing a first connection and your DEEPEST, DARKEST FEARS (dun dun dunnn).
Lou finds a way to use her authentic Canadian voice and perspective to explain day to day life to us foreigners, particularly the way in which the French and English speakers spar together in a game of lingual chicken when trying to figure out which language they should communicate in. Putting everything in the context of an awkward first date means we as the audience can laugh at the cringe rather than cringing ourselves. There are real and genuine points to be made here by Lou within the veils of this comedy performance.
What makes this show so fun for me, however, is how endearing she is. There is clearly a structure to this performance, but Lou doesn’t limit herself to the script, that would be far too linear. Instead, she chooses to challenge herself. With improvised songs and genuine audience interaction, as an audience member I really feel like I know her a little bit now. She really did establish a conversational tone and connection with us as the audience.
This is a heartwarming and relaxing piece, sure to bring you comfort and relaxation on what might otherwise be a rainy evening in the heart of Prague.
Recommended Drink: A lovely glass of mid-dry white wine. Let’s be classy, it is a first date after all!
Lou has concluded her run at the Prague Fringe Festival but I’m certain this won’t be the last we see of her, I hope not at least.
Jake Mace
Freddie Haberfellner
