Linda Hollywood is an old-school actor turned agent and she or he goes to ship a masterclass on the best way to make it within the trade. The first step: transfer to LA. Step two? Be born rich.
US comic Kylie Brakeman made probably the most of pandemic restrictions, gaining large followings on social media because of her video sketches of well-observed characters – Linda Hollywood amongst them. This fast-talking character embodies a trope we see in in style tradition pretty commonly – from Joey Tribbiani’s chain-smoking agent Estelle in Pals to Toast of Tinseltown’s taxi-driving LA information. On stage, there is a chance to delve deeper. We uncover Linda has created a PR nightmare for herself after making a sexist joke throughout an interview. Will she double down on her feedback or will there be an epiphany in regards to the therapy of ladies in Hollywood?
There are some enjoyable traces lampooning a sure period of “lean in” businesswoman, as she flits between schmoozing and brutal honesty. And Brakeman highlights the hypocrisies of the movie trade with pleasingly absurd turns of phrase.
Linda has some assist filling the hour. We meet two of her purchasers: Eva Lil One thing One thing, who claims to be a straight-talking intercourse adviser however can’t assist resorting to euphemism; and “the six-year-old divorcee” who places a childhood spin on Joan Rivers-esque standup. Followers of Brakeman’s on-line movies will recognise the latter, and the eagle-eyed will spot bits from different characters, corresponding to “Appearing trainer who’s simply form of winging it at this level”, woven by the present. Sadly, Brakeman’s glorious parody of a screenwriter on a date didn’t make it to stage this time.
A few the characters are a bit of one-note, and there may very well be better differentiation between a few of the performances. However Brakeman is constantly high-energy and her confidence ensures that a piece of viewers work which, relying on who’s picked might have been difficult, is executed to perfection. And a Doritos business audition is a hilarious spotlight, because of her all-in efficiency.
It’s a enjoyable hour, peaking with some tension-building bodily comedy as Linda is pressured to confront her previous.
At Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, Edinburgh, till 28 August.
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