If you were at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, you may well have seen ‘Live Your Best Life’; a one-woman show written and performed by Emmy Fyles, listed as one of the Fringe highlights by the Guardian. Having explored why we might not be living our best lives and then telling us how we could, Fyles has now turned her attention to considering why we so often feel socially awkward.
There are many ways you may feel socially awkward. There are occasions where you just find yourself in a large group that you just don’t fit into. At the other extreme, you can be on a first date that just isn’t working out. And of course, there is the embarrassing, unexpected situation that just happens, be it an accident or an unfortunate coincidence. All these scenarios are explored in some depth with several very funny case studies. There is more to some situations than meets the eye and expect some surprises as Fyles’s journey into social awkwardness reveals some intriguing discoveries.
A lot of stand-up comedy is based on either the performer being absurdly self-deprecating or a smart, savvy observer who often viciously attacks their chosen subjects for ridicule. Emmy Fyles bares her own soul in an honest and credible way and selects only as victims for real attack, subjects who thoroughly deserve it. This is not the kind of show where the comedy comes from making the audience feel uncomfortable or shocked because Fyles’s principal aim is make the audience feel at one with her and so able to join on the journey.
‘Socially Awkward Penguin’ is a thoughtful show, based on both personal life experience and considerable research. It is also brutally honest, which makes it very funny because often, the best and most dynamic comedy is deeply rooted in reality, however absurd it may appear on the surface. The Penguin element is a bit of a red herring so don’t expect any curious costumes or to receive free chocolate covered biscuits but you will not be short-changed by Fyles’s observations and discoveries profusely illustrated throughout, using both fixed and moving images
‘Socially Awkward Penguin’ is a worthy successor to ‘Live Your Best Life’. Fyles has the relaxed feel of an experienced comedian who clearly knows both her subject and her audience. This is a sure crowd-pleaser for the Edinburgh Fringe and audience members should feel less socially awkward after seeing this show (or at least have a better understanding as to why they do). Apart from social awkwardness, if you have any other phobias, areas of self-doubt, secret fears or anything else that is potentially socially debilitating, let Fyles know as soon as possible, it might form the basis of her show for Edinburgh next year!
Reviewer - John Waterhouse
on - 19/7/19
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