Cliff Young was a folk hero for Australians back in the early 80’s as the wizened old potato farmer from Colac who won the inaugural Sydney to Melbourne Ultra Marathon (look it up if you don’t believe me). Hannah is a grumpy Australian comedian in her mid 30s who made herself a promise while drunk one afternoon. Now, having just finished reading Dave Gorman’s Are You Dave Gorman? last week, I’m tempted to give up the booze, but then I don’t tend to make ridiculous bets.
Anyway, Hannah decided, while watching TV in London a month before her Edinburgh Festival show last year, to walk across England. Fine for a fit young healthy and energetic person but, well, as you will learn when you come to see the show, this is not the person you want as your walking buddy.
Hannah embarks on her story of the preparations and travels like she is on a journey of self-discovery but, unlike the way an American would tell the story, there ain’t no angels or deep insights or loving reconciliation as a payoff. Instead we find that understanding you’re a grumpy person who can’t stand idiots can be just as satisfying. I won’t give details of the journey as there are a few surprises along the way, but I will say that as a sufferer of one stress fracture in my foot (walking to the beach last summer!) I am proud of what she achieved.
The stage is black, the curtains at the back and sides are black and Hannah is dressed in black. I wonder if this has anything to do with her struggle with depression? No colour, no big fancy props, just Hannah, a water bottle and a stool (for the water bottle to sit on) and the full house, including the happy drunken Scotsman (Lindsay) in the front row who really wanted to join in the show. Hannah speaks in a VERY Aussie style with a few colloquialisms and a lot of swearing. She’s also a bit rude. She is also very funny and tells a tale of pain and endurance with style enough to keep the audience entertained for the full hour. For a preview this was very polished and will only get better as the festival continues. Excellent and perfect for those of us that hate outdoorsy type exercise junkies.
Visit the Edinburgh Fringe website for booking details