Words: Elodie Marriott
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4 stars

At first you may mistake Ania Magliano for Fantastic Mr Fox. She assures us that it’s not the first time it’s happened, with her penchant for waistcoats and autumnal colours. Her love for particular fabrics even goes as far as refusing marriage until there’s a bridal corduroy.

Watching Forgive Me, Father is a bit like doing a jigsaw. The way Magliano slots in callbacks to earlier material is pleasantly surprising and as satisfying as clicking pieces into a puzzle. Her main concern is why she’s frequently picking fights with her boyfriend. Possibly, it’s her contraceptive implant that is to blame (she hopes), but likely the reason is more mental, a harder fix unfortunately.

Magliano’s set is filled with witty phrases like “emotional escape room” and amusing comparisons, likening her mindless jabbering to free jazz. By the end, we have a comprehensive, if not fluent, understanding of her idiosyncratic language. The time dedicated to her experience with an intimate “piece of machinery” is the comical peak of the show.

Have no fear if you’re nervous about audience participation, roasting the crowd is not Ania Magliano’s style. Her interactions are more wholesome, like recommending lavender to an insomniac or asking our opinion on her ‘one big tooth’ idea.

Ania Magliano: Forgive Me, Father
Pleasance Courtyard – Above
Various times
Aug 8-11, 13-25