REVIEW: Alison Spittle: BIG, EdFringe 2025 ★★★★

Alison comes out in a homemade dress made out of loofahs, once on stage she immediately removes it revealing her dramatic weight loss. This weight loss is what the show is all about.

Comparing it to a number of objects to highlight the extent of the weight she’s lost, numerous reasons that led to it – mostly health in the end but also someone telling her to sit down on a train. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back, Alison had clearly had enough with everyone commenting on her and her weight.

The point of her irritation often comes from the fact she has always felt comfortable in her size regardless of what anyone said to her, so this was never about wanting to change. It’s been a forced change for her but she has come to terms with it.

This show is extremely funny however despite the heaviness of the topics. Alison has complete control over the narrative which allows her to drop the punchlines in at moments you least expect. This ability to catch you off guard with where the jokes are coming from shows she has a brilliant gasp of her art and highlights Alison’s ability to tell stories. It then provides bigger laughs from the audience as she hits you sideways with killer jokes.

This is an incredibly sensitive show with themes that are not easy to navigate but she guides you through beautifully and with care and control and nothing ever over steps the line. Alison is careful with language and dutifully makes sure that the audience is okay with the content. Often using the jokes to cut the tension and relax the audience before she moves onto the next topic.

Alison loves the show Pointless, and when she got to appear on the celebrity version it was her dream come true. But as much as this is a happy story it’s still affected by the fact that her aunt at the viewing party still manages to make a comment on her weight, due the filming and airing taking place either side of the weight loss. This anecdote perfectly encapsulates the show that no matter what she does we weight is still mentioned.

Brilliant, hilarious and performed by a master storyteller, Alison will have you laughing from start to finish.

Recommended Drink: Prosecco, fun and bubbly.

You can catch Alison Spittle: BIG at Monkey Barrel 1 at Monkey Barrel Comedy from now to 24th August (not 12th) at 16:45 (60 mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.