Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh

Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl is on tour around the UK

By: Sep. 25, 2023
Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh

Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh

Having opened at Manchester's Opera House earlier in the month, Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl continues its 36-date run this week. 

Instead of having a support act, Rachel has decided to come out and have a bit of a chat with the audience herself. It gives the evening a more relaxed feel like you're having a night out with a pal. A pal with a lot of opinions. 

After a short break, we get to the show itself. There's a throughline of how Rachel got into comedy when she experienced crippling shyness as a child. Mainly, Showgirl contains something that a lot of comedy shows are lacking just now: jokes. Solid, proper, snort-laugh-inducing jokes. Rattling through a variety of topics such as how she couldn't give less of a f**k about your air fryer, the naming of middle-class children and how many people are seriously lacking good manners.

While many comedians will draw on deep and meaningful life experiences to theme a show, Rachel Fairburn dismisses talking about her recent life changes for being "too positive". She's not bitter, I don’t think there’s a single point made in this show that isn’t bang on. This is top-tier observational comedy delivered at breakneck speed.

No matter how well-written a show is, it’s mostly down to delivery and Rachel Fairburn has this absolutely nailed. Her timing is impeccable whether it be scripted storytelling or casual audience interaction.

I normally find it inappropriate to comment on a comedian’s outfit during a set but in this case, it would be disrespectful not to. The warm-up introduction is casual attire but for the main set, her sequinned fringed jumpsuit is truly spectacular.

Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl is a wickedly funny standup show from an outstanding comedian.

You can read BroadwayWorld's interview with Rachel Fairburn here and buy tickets for her upcoming tour dates Click Here.

Photo credit: Drew Forsyth




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Natalie has been covering for BroadwayWorld Scotland since 2013 and heads up the site's Edinburgh Festival Fringe coverage. Based in Glasgow, she covers as much as she can around Scotland and is a... Natalie O'Donoghue">(read more about this author)

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