In The King and I Sarah Bennetto has a story to tell, and it’s a doozie.
Telling the tale of her life in London, working as a Z-grade TV personality on an even lower grade television station, we are drawn into her world as it is thrown into disarray by an unexpected invitation to meet with Prince Charles at Buckingham palace. I won’t go into the plot very much beyond that description, as watching the events unfold is half the fun of this engaging show.
Sarah has an instantly likable nervous energy on stage and demonstrates a constant desire to keep the audience on board and there’s a sense that you’re not so much being performed at as you are just sitting down for a tale from an old friend. Her sense of wonder as she recounts her misadventures really draws you into the moment, and the sense of excitement in Sarah’s recollections draw you in and make you really feel what it would be like to share her experiences.
The focus here is not on off non-sequitur punchlines but an investment in long form story-telling – in this case taken to the extreme where the entire show is one long story with very little in the way of side-treks. That’s not to say that this is any less a comedy show for the focus on the story, Sarah finds plenty of humour in the ridiculousness of her situation and is comfortable laying bare her own foibles for the audience’s benefit.
It’s an absolute pleasure to hear such a talented storyteller with such a great tale to share.