Camden Fringe 2023
Camden Fringe 2023 There are some things that are universal between generations, nationalities, even sexes. One of those is the insecurities so many people feel about themselves; their looks, their behaviour, their whole life. Whether or not it’s any worse now for the younger generation because of social media and the sorry state of everything is a debate for another day. What is clear, though, is that Nora Kelly Lester’s Bunny is absolutely one of those people who is insecure in her life however glossy a shine she tries to put on it all; a shine as glowing as…
Rating
Excellent
Masterful clowning shows us a woman struggling with life in a way that will be all too familiar to many: full of humour and pathos, as all clowns should be
There are some things that are universal between generations, nationalities, even sexes. One of those is the insecurities so many people feel about themselves; their looks, their behaviour, their whole life. Whether or not it’s any worse now for the younger generation because of social media and the sorry state of everything is a debate for another day. What is clear, though, is that Nora Kelly Lester‘s Bunny is absolutely one of those people who is insecure in her life however glossy a shine she tries to put on it all; a shine as glowing as the red nose she wears throughout this incredible one woman clowning performance.
Lester’s performance is central to the sheer joy of Bunny Bunny. The show is Bunny, and Bunny is the show. One could not exist without the other. From the moment she bursts through the theatre door, dressed in a one-piece swimming costume, heels and that nose, she really commands the stage, making use of every inch available. She slides along the walls, sultrily talking about herself and the men in her life as she throws poses – as if to demand we look at her.
Except she loses steam as her confidence ebbs and her insecurities begin to appear. Through all her bluster, she cannot hide that she is not as in control and assured as she wants us to believe. She becomes vulnerable as she reveals her worries; that her boyfriend isn’t really the one; that her rent is overdue and she is struggling to pay her bills; that “sometimes I just get scared I’m not a proper adult.” Lester makes them all sound so unique to Bunny, as if she is the first and only person to have them. But that’s the point: the show is a mirror to our own insecurities.
Things work best when Lester is in full clown mode. She struts and pouts and puts on a display of physical comedy that is incredibly funny and immensely watchable. A scene vacuuming up all her money, as she calls out whichever debt that has taken each amount, is simply wonderful, highly imaginative and comes complete with her own sound effects. Her interaction with the audience is equally as considered, from getting help in a spaghetti restaurant to a rendition of Ibsen’s Doll’s House from one game participant. It all makes for a lot of fun.
The show would benefit from some minor tweaks. As with all good clowning, some pathos is vital, but there are moments it seems to be over-extended, leaving us just a heartbeat too long waiting for things to pick up again. Luckily, Lester is skilled enough to drag the audience back without losing us. The lighting is the second issue, although as with much at Camden Fringe with its limited budgets and time, this is forgivable. However, it would be good to see more use of lighting – some focus as Lester explores the stage. As it is right now, it feels over-lit, whereas some shadow could work wonders.
Bunny Bunny offers time for both serious fun and space for introspection. Bunny is someone we all know, or maybe even she is ourselves; trying her best in a world that really is tough. She is a blend of pure clown, the girl next door and sex kitten, a confusing mix indeed – but then aren’t all the fun people full of contradictions? This is certainly one of those fringe shows that will find further life outside of Camden.
You can read more about this show in our recent interview with Nora Kelly Lester here.
Created by: Nora Kelly Lester
Bunny Bunny plays until 12 August as part of Camden Fringe. Further information and bookings here.