Sarah Roberts: Scary Movie 7
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Reviewed by: Katie Borland
Sarah Roberts returns to the Fringe, this time on a quest for connection.
Despite the Scary Movie title, the show includes surprisingly few horror film references. Instead, dressed in a cloak and shackles, Roberts locks the audience in her dungeon for the hour-long set and focuses on the terror of loneliness, hollow relationships and past pitfalls. It is a narrative of failed connection after failed connection. However, despite the mishaps, the desire for meaningful relationships persists, and Roberts perseveres, even searching for “the one” within the crowd.
From the outset, it is clear that Roberts is a skilled comedian. Her honest and often self-deprecating humour makes her instantly likeable, while her strong and endearing personality makes it impossible not to root for her. She vividly recounts her attempts at love in the miserable environment of the modern dating scene, comparing it to “hell”. The content of her storytelling is raw and unfiltered. No topic seems off-limits, from absorbing her twin in the womb to kissing her Uber drivers.
The writing is polished and tight, with multiple story threads that keep returning in hilarious, unexpected and oftentimes bizarre ways. Roberts also cleverly utilises sound effects to enhance key moments, adding another layer to her comedy.
The way she interacts with audience members is pure gold. Her comedic prowess is strongest in these improvised moments. There were several disruptions from audience members that momentarily interrupted the set but, instead of being perturbed, Roberts swiftly dealt with each and incorporated them nicely into her act. Ironically, considering her complaints about the difficulty in obtaining connection, Roberts manages to craft a strong connection between herself and the audience, which creates an intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
Scary Movie 7 is an incredibly fun and surprisingly heartfelt show that should not be missed. Roberts’ storytelling is hilarious and dramatic, but beneath all the humour lies the universal heart of the piece: the desire for connection in a sometimes-apathetic world. It is the emotional core that makes the show what it is and leaves the audience feeling moved and a little more connected by the end.
Roberts is performing at Monkey Barrel every night until 30 August.
