A dark and punchy comedic exploration of writer/performer Ambrosine Davies’ years of living and dating in Los Angeles, I’ll Die Laughing is a show that manages to cram a decade of experiences into just under an hour. However, it is not simply that: it is a story of survival after domestic abuse. Cleverly written, devastatingly honest and told with heart, this also manages to pack in humour to lighten a story that, if you did not know was true, would think was just a step too far for make-believe.
Davies is very skilled in her storytelling. We are yanked into her life from the opening moments and join her on the rollercoaster through the tale, through apartments, through nannying, to ending up running for her life. Davies is particularly adept at morphing between characters and accents: through her physicality and voice we can clearly picture her controlling boss for whom she nannies, the police who dismiss the threatening behaviour of her partner as simple disputes, and that same partner who starts to show his ‘bad guy’ side. It is a tale told with verve by a survivor and a fighter.
There are elements of this that are still raw, and at times it is not an easy watch due to the subject matter. Sometimes it feels like there could be space to breathe between scenes where the audience may need to catch up. In the brief Q&A at the end – a really important element after such an emotional journey for the performer and for the audience – Davies explains that this is a work which will be further developed, but it is a subject that needs to be discussed and not hidden away. It is a challenge to bring alive any story, let alone one that has such a personal and hard-hitting connection, but Davies does this with aplomb. It is a show that should be seen.
Show Time: 16-17 Aug @ 10:35; 19-24 Aug @ 11:50
theSpaceTriplex
Ticket Prices: £10 (£8)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/i-ll-die-laughing
Accessible entry: Level access via main entrance using a ramp. Wheelchair access type: Level Access, Lift (Platform Lift). Stairs: Information not supplied. Wheelchair Accessible Toilets. Audio Enhancement System. Age: 16+ (Guideline), Strong language/swearing; Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket. Policy applies to: Children under 18 months.