Dante had something to say about the post-youth years. “In the middle of our life’s journey,” he wrote, admittedly quite a long time ago now, “I found myself in a dark wood.”
Tiff Stevenson, I suspect might recognise those trees. Her Fringe show is very much about finding herself trapped in the undergrowth of middle age. Hot flushes, ageing parents, her incipient witchiness all figure in this hour of comedy, though, to be fair, she has more material about the perimenopause than Dante.
Post-Coital is a subtle piece of work. What starts off as straight-ahead observational comedy slowly reveals its true nature via discussions of Heisenberg’s Observer Effect and a dissection of the concept of “entrainment” and how it applies to you and your partner’s bathroom habits. These are the kind of thoughts, Stevenson tells us, that float around her head when she’s in a post-coital state (hence the title).
Stevenson has 20 years of stand-up experience behind her and it shows. Even with a quiet crowd she nails her punchlines whilst also offering food for thought. Talking about her father who has dementia she is both honest and funny, giving the show a real emotional heft.
There’s maybe a danger that the way she almost sneaks up on the core of the show will throw some of her audience. There is a danger, too, that some might be expecting something rather different given the come-on title and poster. But this is a revealing and at times quietly angry show. One to get lost in if you’re willing to make the journey with her..
Tiff Stevenson: Post-Coital, Hive 1, The Hive, Monkey Barrel Comedy, 14.50pm, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tiff-stevenson-post-coital
