Lucy and Friends is an hour long laugh riot, fever dream, and existential crisis. Performed entirely by Lucy McCormick, this show is wildly self aware in a hilarious way. It is also not for the faint of heart, as there are some graphic scenes that could possibly make your stomach turn.
For those brave enough, what you get is an hour of hilarity and constant subversion of expectations. Want to see a woman being hypnotized, being ordered to be a cat, turning into a ghost that beautifully belts out Adele’s ‘Hello’? No, I didn’t make that up and yes, this show is for you.
From the off, Lucy messes with the audience in a way that feels genuine and fun. Audience participation is woven throughout, and the jokes are never at the audience members expense. We’re all in on the joke, and yet we’re not - as Lucy’s breathtaking speed goes from bit to bit, liquid to liquid, until we’re all howling with laughter and not sure if what she’s saying is even true.
But it doesn’t matter, because that’s the fun. The constant tension about what will happen next, who will she talk to next, what song will she sing next, what object will she bring out next, what body part can she reveal next? It’s silly, it’s wild, subversive and hilarious. Even as Lucy begs for help in an arguably earnest scene, audience members can’t help but giggle because - what the hell is even happening?
And what can’t Lucy make audience members do?
In a bid to cultivate community and connection amongst ‘friends’ AKA audience members, Lucy pokes fun - at herself, at the arts (and Arts Council), at her mum, at Norah Jones and more. And in doing so, she immediately gets us on side and endeared to her. No matter how far she takes things.
With this show (where even the name is a misnomer), you immediately feel in safe hands. There is no doubt that Lucy is a seasoned performer - witty, quick and comfortable even in the uncomfortable. Lucy also has a strong reputation and following as a provocative performer, something I only realised after someone in the lobby asked me ahead of the show ‘have you ever seen Lucy perform?’ in a conspiratorial and cheeky tone. This was my first ever Lucy McCormick show and I definitely won’t be my last.
I can’t even tell you the plot because in all honesty, it’s an ensemble cabaret tent spectacular show minus the ensemble - you just need to see it to believe it. The point is to bond with each other and with Lucy. Can we make friends in this way? Lucy will surely die trying.
Lucy and Friends runs at Soho Theatre (Dean Street) until 16th March. For more information and tickets, you can follow the link here.
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AD | gifted tickets in return for an honest review
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