A weightlifting comics guide to dealing with lenience and tolerance, especially when torn between two very different role models, a loving late Nana, and a dad filled with anger. Jessica explores how these two different emotions will affect her life and how they rub off on her nine-year-old son.
Jessica mentioned two life goals during her show: to find her “dolphin moment”, which is in reference to a beautiful and hilarious story from her grandmother. The other goal is to ensure her son does not become toxic and passive-aggressive. She does this by teaching him imaginary swears that will embarrass him later in life. All for the sake of feminism, preventing misogyny like a hero.
Jessica hardly takes a breath in between rants. One of these rants is about the current state of the world. Just about every show I’ve been to during the fringe has brought up the climate we currently live in politically and everything else sad; how can they not? It’s practically impossible to ignore.
Jessica is aware of these unoriginal topics running through them like a very depressing and weirdly medical list. But Jessica brings up a good point about this common topic. “It’s a mad time to be a comedian, your job is to hold up a mirror to the world” Jessica uses a beautiful simile for this task: “Sifting through s**t is like sifting through the news for a joke”
Iconic Breath is a loud and lively show, but all that is screamed out is vital as Jessica mixes politics and comedy. She is furiously funny as she navigates life as a mum, life as a lesbian and how to survive her closed-minded football friends.
Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath 17.40, Monkey Barrel Comedy, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jessica-fostekew-iconic-breath
