Kate Butch

A Kate in the hand is worth two in the butch. 

“Best joke at the Fringe?” 

⭐⭐⭐⭐  

Following on from their hilarious 2024 show Wuthering Shites, in which songs and audience interaction were in plentiful supply, Kate Butch changings things up to deliver a more traditional stand-up comedy hour.  

Entering to a nearly naked stage with just 4 wonderful bushes spelling out “Kate” , Butch dressed in mandatory sequins takes the mic and wizzes effortlessly and skillfully though many topics all very loosely linked to the subject of proverbs and how they help us to manage life. 

There are some great jokes and puns about a whole range of subjects including oats, taxi drivers, park runs, Duolingo and Coronation Street, coming out as well as complaining about the “best joke at the fringe” and then hitting us with numerous of their own.

Some of the subjects seemed very mainstream, for example seven minutes on what's the best lunchtime “meal deal” was probably too much, but there is so much silliness and wit that maybe I'm being petty!  

Kate then proceeds to take apart the online backlash and homophobia she now receives after her appearance on Drag Race and her appearance at the Royal Albert Hall insightfully with own pettiness and yet still witty and hilarious. 

It's when Kate relaxes and adlibs that she really comes into her own with some hilarious off the cuff remarks.  

The audience clearly love Butch and visa versa. Butch riffing off an audience is a real skill and brilliantly funny. I craved more.  

Pleasance Dome, until 30 Aug (not 19th), 8pm