Freddie Haberfellner
An almost-cancellation and utter chaos around the entire Pleasance Courtyard due to a fire evacuation and the reason? Rosie Jones is just too damn hot.
That is the statement Rosie Jones begins the slightly delayed comedy show with and, despite obviously being improvised, it perfectly sets the tone for the hour to come. Covering disability, relationships, the importance of representation as well as gravy on tits and some guy called Darren, I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying is hilarious and heartfelt in equal measures.
How many disabled comedians can you list? And have you ever seen a disabled person depicted in a healthy, happy, romantic relationship on television? If not, how are disabled people supposed to know that those goals are attainable for them? Rosie Jones is not messing about when it comes to creating the representation she never had. If you still don’t know who she is, go by a television from Argos, turn on said telly and you’ll find out sooner rather than later.
But even so there are people who don’t think someone like her should be on TV; Jones tells us about a man called Darren (perhaps a stand-in for many an internet troll) who loves to comment on her videos complaining that he cannot understand what she’s saying. Ableist rhetoric that couldn’t be further from the truth, and thankfully not something that keeps Jones from speaking her mind. She jokes that she did badly on Taskmaster to prove that disabled people can be mediocre but also speaks about the difficulties that come with representing several marginalised groups as a gay, disabled woman.
Speaking of her sexuality, Jones lists the reasons why she has been single all her life and somehow always finds a balance between being utterly hilarious and making astute comments about the state the world. As this section got even more explicit than the rest of the show, she delighted in letting us know that there were children sat in the front row who would definitely learn a lot.
There is no filter, but a constant and effortless switching between sincerity and jokes as Jones leads us in one direction only to turn an unexpected corner at the last moment. What makes this even better is the fact that she seems to be genuinely delighted when jokes land (as they all do).
Even though she mentioned that she started working on this show a year ago, not a single delivery feels rehearsed or even pre-meditated. Simultaneously though, it’s apparent that a lot of thought has gone into the construction of the show. Each story and tangent is well-built and structured, callbacks come at delightfully unexpected moments, and three letters read out at the very end tie everything together perfectly.
Rosie Jones is a master of her craft and, more importantly, hot enough to shut down Pleasance Courtyard. By which I mean she’s the type of comedian who won’t just make you laugh but will make you think. I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying is an absolute must-see at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Recommended Drink: Raspberry daiquiri. Fruity and a bit unexpected.
You can catch Rosie Jones: I Can’t Tell What She’s Saying at Cabaret Bar @ Pleasance Courtyard until August 30th from 16:00 (60 minutes). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Issy Cory
Isobel Jacob
Esme Davis
