Jess Robinson is talented and hilarious in her Elton John Impression show “Your Song”. That does sound a bit confusing, but it works a treat on stage. Jess takes impressions of celebrities, singers, politicians and even her mum and combines their voice, or music, to the discography of Elton John.
Jess Robinson has an awe-inspiring range, not just in her voice, but also in her impressions. As if it isn’t impressive enough to sing beautifully with someone else’s voice, Jess manages to flicker between impressions in a split second. She demonstrates this by inserting more than 20 impressions into “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” I never thought I’d see the day when Edith Piaf collaborated with Liz Truss, but that’s the Fringe for you.
My favourite impression of the evening is definitely the skit intermissions between songs that featured Liza Minnelli’s best go at landing a role in The Lion King, if she could only stick to the lyrics, then maybe this time she’d win.
Liza aside, Jess’s ability to capture singers not only through their voice but also through their actions is almost spooky. Spooky, in particular, is her Kate Bush impression, which had the audience laughing every time she clocked you with a witchy stare.
Jess Robinson is totally relaxed at her show, everything seems to come naturally, and she rarely has to name or explain who she is impersonating; most are extremely obvious and therefore extremely good. In seconds, you can go from sitting in Austria with Julie Andrews to being in a 2000s high school with Britney Spears. Impressions are nothing new in comedy; however, Jess’s voice and humour, combined with her impressions, are outstanding.
Jess Robinson: Your Song 18.05, Assembly George Square Gardens, until August 24
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jess-robinson-your-song
