Bella Hull cements herself as one to watch in the UK comedy scene with ‘Babycakes’. The young comedian exudes confidence and rarely skips a beat throughout the performance detailing her whirlwind life with hysterical surprises at each turn. In many ways Hull already feels like a season veteran.
What makes this show so unique is the character work that Bella nails. It is almost Jekyll and Hyde-esque the way we see her flip between what you believe to be her genuine self and the hyperbolic, future yummy mummy who has deep rooted issues with the suffragettes. There is never a straightforward conclusion to an anecdote, in the best way possible. Hull takes you down a rabbit hole about an ex (or her 5-minute obsession) before totally redirecting the joke from where you thought it was headed. Her punchlines are brilliantly disguised which only makes the laughs even louder, although the sassy delivery becomes a touch repetitive. A character who most of us would avoid in day-to-day life becomes strangely likeable exceedingly quickly and this is purely credit to some stellar joke writing.
Her Hyde, if you will, is the potential outcome of the wrong responses to the many traumatic events that she has endured in her life. But when you get to see glimpses of the real her, it is apparent that this is a tremendously clever and self-aware person who just knows how to make people laugh. As an audience, you relate to her stories about failed love and a caring mother, before intently listening to tales of relationship dynamics that many of us couldn’t even imagine. All of this contributes to her world view which she is confident in, and rightly so. This does mean that she is not afraid to delve into the world of politics in a hilariously dogmatic fashion. Hull is innately likeable and undeniably funny.
The way ‘Babycakes’ is utterly daft but clearly embedded on sincere opinions and life experiences makes it a really enjoyable watch. Hull has big aspirations in the comedy world and if this show is any indication, then there can be little doubt those goals will be fulfilled.
18:55 at Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two (Venue 33)
August 5 – 14, 16 – 28
