At the very top of ‘Banglord’ Hagen declares it to be a show about sexual frustration. Kudos to her for coming up with a new title to aim for to sum up her sexual liberation. Hagen knows her worth and there may as well be a title to claim, although ‘lord’ is somewhat humble compared to the UK dictatorship she articulately argues should be hers. Hagen is not without ambition. But then she’s off her meds, on holiday, and looking to make the world a better place.
It’s a real delight to see Hagen at the top of her game here. She’s playful, articulate, delivering great big punchlines seemingly effortlessly, the room in the palm of her hand following her intonations and intimacies as she shares details of her extended sexual dry spell, what might have led to it, and her shenanigans at the possibility of bringing it to an end. There’s an easy trust that the regularity of big laughs she elicits confirms. And a variety of tangents and well-placed callbacks that make the show fully rounded and no one-trick focus.
Hagen clearly also knows that in sharing details of a scandalous affair with a famous British comedian there will be much speculation as to who it might be. But she plays the anonymity with class and humour deflecting, as she says, for her own benefit rather than for his.
Banglord is a banger of a show, deftly orchestrated with fun and honesty from start to finish, and testimony that Hagen is more than ready for her own Netflix specials.
Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 3,
14:50, 4-27 August 2023 (except 8-9, 15-16 & 22-23)
