If you’re one of the lucky little birds headed up to Scotland for Edinburgh Fringe, I have one recommendation for you: go and see Vikki Stone.
Stone’s show at last year’s Fringe, “Big Neon Letters”, was given four stars in the The Scotsman (“really very good stand-up, and she delivers quite a punch”) and the Observer recommended it as one of their top five acts to go see at the festival. Her show this year will not disappoint.
I was lucky enough to catch Vikki’s one and only London preview show of her new show “Hot Mess”, and all I can say is that Vikki’s pretty much outdone herself.
If you, like me, had missed last years "Big Neon Letters", you’ll perhaps have spotted Stone’s hilarious Hilary Devey “Get The Look” video, in which she shows the masses how to get jowls and gargantuan shoulders like Devey. Or perhaps you saw her on This Morning, serenading Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby with (a heavily censored) version of her love song “The Phillip Schofield Song”.
Here's the NSFW version - complete with blow-up doll and bottles of lube. Oh, and Phillip rubbing Vikki's knickers on his face.
Combining her powerful vocals, sharp wit, clever songwriting skills and plenty of F-bombs, Vikki Stone’s “Hot Mess” show is anything but. I don’t want to give away any bits of the show, but what the girl can do with cheese, a ginger wig, soup cans and hotpants is seriously sensational. She sings about subject matters that have no doubt never been sung about before, and she does so whilst completely throwing herself into the material.
Sometimes comedians and performers are too aware of their audience. Their inhibitions creep into their act, and they fiddle with their outfit, or only pull faces they know make them look attractive - whereas Vikki Stone does not give a shit. Whether it’s pounding away on the piano, belting a high note or tap-dancing, Vikki throws her heart and soul into the show, and does it all while managing to make you laugh so hard your sides hurt and you become concerned you may wee yourself.
“Hot Mess” is an absolute must see. It’s refreshing, it’s surprising, and absolutely mental - what more could you want in a comedy show?
Vikki Stone’s “Hot Mess” is playing at the Underbelly venue in Bristo Square with dates from 1 - 26 August. Tickets range from £6 - £11 and can be purchased online at Underbelly.co.uk.
For more information on Vikki Stone, you can follow her on Twitter as @VikkiStone, like the Vikki Stone Facebook page, or visit vikkistone.com.