Jessica’s always been obsessed with Downton Abbey. Once she’d gobbled up the TV show, she found her way to fan fiction. From there, she found herself writing her own fanfic novel, focusing on Peggy, a worldly wise girl who loved to serve, followed a chauffeur home and found herself engaged by the (Downton Abbey) household, giving her a front row seat on their lives and loves. Quickly finding her favourites (and for fans, better not to spoil the surprise here), she settled into life in the stately manor. Until World War One was declared and she decided she wanted to go all the way – to the front line.

In the name of full disclosure, this reviewer knows NOTHING about fan fiction, has never watched and also knows nothing about Downton Abbey. But readers, don’t let that deter you from Jessica Durand‘s wonderful show Over The Top. Fanfic afficionados in the audience laughed their way through this show with the joy that comes from being in the presence of a kindred spirit. The genre hopping, the Wattpad dismissal, the joy of the scholarship poured into many of the fanfic works all clearly struck a chord. Fans of the TV show were entertained by her dissection of the queerness of the Downton Abbey characters. But both are explained over the course of the show, with handy film footage and internet perusal to illustrate the point so even if you’re invested in neither, Over The Top is still a quirky, spirited journey of self-discovery.

Eclectic, entertaining romp through fancy houses and field hospitals aside, it’s Durand’s mischievous charm and taut direction from Rowan Ellis that makes this show sparkle. She’s as pixie-ish as the (very cool manic pixie dream boy/slut) peaked caps available as merch at the end of the show. She’s engaging, endearing and holds this audience’s rapt attention throughout her hour long show. There’s a tiny bit of audience participation – again, no spoilers – but a couple of lucky audience members wind up playing tiny parts in her unfolding tale. But the most compelling moments of her show see her segue suddenly into what might be real life, and in this helter-skelter pitch dark underbelly, she’s suddenly majestic.

‘Over the Top‘ has ended its Fringe run