The show saw performances from Hannah Brackenbury, Clare Summerskill, Lara A King, and Julie Jepson
BY ALI HENDRY
My date and I arrived at Komedia Brighton to find an 80-strong queue of women sporting sensible shoes. Converse, Adidas, Veja, and of course, Birkenstocks punctuated the pavement. As we filed in on a balmy summer’s evening, the air buzzed with a sense of community. We were in the presence of Brighton lesbian alumni (including me), and many were fans of tonight’s four lesbian acts (including me). I was likely not the only one with an ex in the audience.
The Sensible Shoes Comedy Tour brings together four soft-masc women in their 40s, 50s and 60s, each with unique comedic flair. Hannah Brackenbury turns popular songs into daft comedy gold. Clare Summerskill moves us from pathos to merriment with her yarns and ballads. Lara A King showcases her sense of the ridiculous through story and song. Julie Jepson brings quick-witted crowd work and should have compèred the night. Their collective years of stage time exude a charmingly gentle silliness.
The shoes theme reminds me of the classic 1987 movie Good Morning Vietnam where Robin Williams’ character jokes that we should use “Women in Comfortable Shoes” instead of lesbian or dyke. Tonight’s performers gave us full permission to use all terms, in fact, Dyke is Clare’s favourite label. And the beauty of labels is we get to choose them.
As the room hotted up with anticipation, I was grateful for efficient air conditioning combatting my own, and others, internal thermostat. “I’m ovulating,” Julie quipped about touring with three other women. “Actually, it’s retro ovulation!” she deftly added.
The format worked well with all four comedians onstage for a song at the start and end. Each act graciously passed over to the next performer, sometimes collaborating on songs during the handover. Golden moments were the delicious double-entendre of Hannah’s lost pussy song, Lara’s brilliantly sharp lesbian airline imagery, Clare seeking her next mate at a Rescue Lesbian Centre, and Julie proffering a Certification in Lesbianism.
For me, Sensible Shoes felt like a nostalgic trip to my coming out days. The night emanated a comforting familiarity, and I relished the callbacks from each act’s past shows. One thing I would have loved to see is a bit more diversity in the lineup. I value the diversity of today’s LGBTQIA intersectional community and love inclusively curated comedy nights. That being said, these four trailblazing comedians certainly know how to deliver a fabulously entertaining evening.
Performers: Hannah Brackenbury, Clare Summerskill, Lara A King, Julie Jepson brackers.co.uk | claresummerskill.co.uk | laraking.co.uk | juliejepsoncomedy
Upcoming date: Friday 18 October, Two Brewers, Clapham
Tickets: the2brewers.com/london/18-10-2024/sensible-shoes
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