Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh

Rachel Fairburn: Showgirl is on tour around the UK

By:
Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh

Review: RACHEL FAIRBURN: SHOWGIRL, The Stand, Edinburgh Image

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 here.

Photo credit: Drew Forsyth

Click Here to Get Tickets

Reader Reviews

Need more Scotland Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...


BroadwayWorld TV


Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical in Scotland Antigone 1989: A Town Hall Musical
Gilded Balloon Patter House (8/05-8/29) PHOTOS VIDEOS
Elvis in Chaos in Scotland Elvis in Chaos
Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) VIDEOS
Dracula: Lucy's Dream in Scotland Dracula: Lucy's Dream
Pleasance at EICC (8/06-8/29)
The New Year in Scotland The New Year
Lime Studio Greenside@George Street (8/07-8/15)
Thermodrama in Scotland Thermodrama
Summerhall (8/07-8/31)
Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years in Scotland Mark Thomas: 40 In Stand Up Years
The Stand 1 (8/05-8/30)
Heart Beats Strong in Scotland Heart Beats Strong
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker 2) (8/05-8/31)
Reparations in Scotland Reparations
Pleasance Courtyard (Above) (8/05-8/30)
Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody! in Scotland Heated Rivalry: The Musical Parody!
Gilded Balloon Patter House - Other Yin (8/05-8/30)
A Costume Drama in Scotland A Costume Drama
ZOO (Playground 3) (8/07-8/30)