Eryn Tett, 2020 Funny Woman Stage Awards runner-up, is looking for her audience. As she explains at the top of her show; some comedians have “broad appeal” and some comedians need to “find their audience”. Eryn considers herself in the latter category and that is exactly what she is doing, one show, one batch of bums on seats at a time. She is both comedian and researcher for the purposes of this debut hour. Eryn sets up the premise for this performance and feedback loop by opening the show with her set after which the house lights go up and Eryn asks the audience directly “what did you think of that?”
If you’ve seen her before and you’re already an established member of Eryn’s audience then you won’t be disappointed. There are two sections of stand up in which Eryn regales us with her classic offbeat and surreal material, it’s packed full of the absurd and original jokes we have come to expect from this comedian.
But this show goes beyond that and has elements you wouldn’t typically see in a stand up show such as advert breaks and data collection. The show takes a meta turn as she unflinchingly addresses the response to her material by going around the room and gathering feedback at one point asking a man “what was your least favourite joke?” However, rather than feeling uncomfortable at these moments of brutally honest audience interaction, these segments have some of the biggest laughs of the show. It’s in this section that we see Eryn at her most natural. She is warm and engaging and it gives the audience members less familiar with her absurd brand of comedy a way in which to connect with her and her show.
Given Eryn’s reputation for self-proclaimed “bizarre” humour we’ve come to expect the unexpected from this comedian. This show spreads itself across multiple styles of comedy; it’s an amalgamation of stand up, digital, clowning, improvisation. Eryn is not afraid to push the boundaries of the form and you can clearly see from this debut hour that Eryn is a comedian who is establishing her own brand of humour irrespective of any of the preexisting canons of comedy.
Eryn describes herself as “not for everyone” but there is so much originality and commitment to innovation in this show, that even if it transpires you are not “her audience” you cannot help but be amused, surprised and intrigued by this truly original hour of stand-up.
★★★★
Eryn Tett Finds Her Audience is at The Tron at 17:00 until 28th August. For tickets visit EdFringe.com.
