Bee Babylon is delving into Iceland’s past through the Travels in the Island of Iceland, During the Summer of Year 1810, a book by Scottish Lord Sir George Stewart.
How Babylon can make such a frankly uninteresting book and make it into a joyful hour of fun is very impressive.
The Iceland native starts at the very beginning of the book, when Stewart sets on his travels with two others on his team, including a man he doesn’t like. However, this is fine, because of course he dies before they get there.
Iceland has become ‘Footloose’ as Babylon describes, they have banned dancing. So, obviously Stewart believes it is a good idea to bring a marching band instead.
Babylon has picked all the highlights from this approximately 500-page book. She is an incredible storyteller and knows what the audience will like. It could be considered quite a niche subject and show, but Babylon tells the story in such an entertaining way that you could be clueless before the show, and it wouldn’t matter.
The comedian also throws in some stories from her own life in Iceland like Christmas traditions, to back up some points in the book. She also tells an amusing but jaw dropping story about falling in love with a criminal.
I would’ve sat and watched Babylon read the whole book with her own commentary. Consequently, the show feels too short and has quite an abrupt ending.
Babylon is a wonderful tale teller and Eyjafjallajökull is a lovely gem.
Bee Babylon – Eyjafjallajökull – There and Back Again 15:00, Stand 4 at The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4
Bee Babylon – Eyjafjallajökull – There and Back Again | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
