Review: LEECH!

In one fast-paced hour, Izzie Harding-Perrott took us on a journey through her life, cleverly dedicating a chapter to each of the seven stages of grief. She tackled rural life, queerness, break ups and, of course, leeches. The audience, made up mainly of drunk students, absolutely lapped it up and enthusastically cheered throughout.

Use of props kept the show engaging (Image Credit: Grace Coton)

Though it was her first solo show, Cambridge footlight Izzie Harding-Perrott has plenty of experience performing at smokers, and she clearly knew what she was doing. She knew exactly how to keep the audience engaged and delivered a jam-packed show, including powerpoints, lots of props (I particularly appreciated the Kirsty Allsopp watering can) and a few surprises – I certainly wasn’t expecting to see a baguette fly out from backstage. We also received a detailed lesson on the anatomy of a tractor and some interesting suggestions for alternative idioms. The well thought out set, along with use of sound, lighting and a farmer-like outfit, helped make the descriptions of rural life more immersive.

These unique aspects were smoothly interwoven with plenty of typical stand-up: LEECH! covered Dorset’s limited queer dating pool and plenty of funny anecdotes, leading the audience to ask ourselves if if we’re in danger of being kidnapped by a seagull (because if they can carry a chihuahua, surely they can carry a pug, and if they can carry a pug they could carry a German shepherd, and is a human really that much bigger than a German shepherd?). There was also audience interaction and bits of role play, with clever use of sound effects. The show had obviously been meticulously planned and rehearsed; there was never a dull moment.

Though it was hilarious from start to finish, LEECH! also managed to hit some more serious notes, touching on creepy straight men in gay clubs and feminism in a way that was hard hitting, but always with a humourous edge which meant that the show never felt depressing. Named LEECH! after the kind of people who suck the life out of us without giving anything back, the show had an important message at its core.

Overall, LEECH! was a joyful way to spend an hour and a lovely introduction to the ADC Theatre, particularly mid way through the hardest week of term! Sadly, it was a one-night-only occasion, but I would seriously recommend getting tickets to whatever Izzie Harding-Perrott does next!

4.5/5

The show’s camdram page can be viewed here