Words: Calum Baxter
Image: Sarah Harry-Isaacs

5 Stars

2019’s Funny Women finalist and BBC New Comedy Award semi-finalist, Kemah Bob performs their debut Edinburgh Fringe hour this year, ‘Miss Fortunate.’

The audience accompanies the comic on an ill-fated trip to Thailand while Kemah is in a state of bipolar mania. The narrative is constructed in such a way that Kemah’s captivated audience anticipates what might be in store for the performer as they navigates the trip through a naïve lens. We experience their journey along with them in real time. This does not make for a predictable hour, however, far from it. As
someone who also has a bipolar diagnosis and has personally struggled through manic episodes, Kemah Bob’s experience resonated with me deeply.

This material in someone else’s hands would turn out very differently. Kemah refuses to manufacture shock in their anecdotes, injecting a light-hearted tone into what is otherwise a very frightening experience – without diminishing the severity of the situation they found themselves in.

With a sporadic sprinkle of entertaining, albeit incongruous, music numbers, Kemah becomes a proponent of perseverance and forgiveness of others but particularly forgiveness of oneself. They acknowledge the mistakes and understanding their impact while also striving to improve their life. This was an important and poignant message to leave audiences with in a performance that I, personally, will never forget.

Kemah Bob: Miss Fortunate
Pleasance Courtyard Baby Grand
19:05
Aug 19 – 20, 22 – 25