Words: Rosemary MacDonald
Image: Matt Stronge

4 Stars

In this hilarious piece of stand-up, Dee Allum manages to explore society’s ideas around femininity, masculinity and sexuality. Allum speaks of the beautiful in-betweeness of being trans and while doing so picks apart and criticises some of the current views and discussions around trans people. Allum’s openness and humour around these difficult topics ensures that the audience are never uncomfortable. 

With excellent pacing and delivery, Allum holds the audience’s attention and has them follow her from start to finish. While having the audience well engaged, Allum manages to carry them well through more in depth discussions as well as catching them off guard with sharp comedic jabs. Her interactions with audience members are all light-hearted and add a mischievous note which lifts the piece. 

Allum talks of some of her experiences of being trans, such as interactions at work, with strangers, medical professionals, her partner and family members. Allum does this with great comedic timing, fantastically setting up the moments for her to hit with perfect timing and tone change. Her vocality throughout brilliantly aids the delivery. Her variety has the audience laughing loudly and paying attention to the more serious messages throughout. 

This show is beautifully written and delivered. Allum takes time with some pieces while having shorter parts throughout to keep the show flowing very nicely. A clever stand-up show which carefully handles important topics with humour. 

Dee Allum: Raumdeuter 
Upstairs at Pleasance Courtyard
16:10
5 August – 30 August (not 18th)