Note: This review is from the 2015 Fringe

@ Fingers Piano Bar, Edinburgh, until Fri 21 Aug 2015 @ 16:00

‘I’m not a comedian, so don’t yell at me if I’m not funny!’ says Laura Kidd. Technically, she’s right—when not starring in her own Freestival show, Kidd is a musician, creating songs under the moniker She Makes War. But despite her inexperience, her show’s amusing array of stories draws plenty of chuckles from the audience. Centred on a numbered list of reasons why she’s not, tactfully speaking, the ideal partner, Shit Girlfriend is a clever blend of personal anecdotes and music.

Talking softly to the crowd, Kidd tells tales of her own flaws and the sometimes funny, sometimes alarming behaviour of the men she’s dated; one pyromaniac anecdote prompts more concern than laughter. Rather than being solely a negative look back at her past, Kidd’s stories of romantic misfortune are lightened by discussion of her current happiness.

The show’s title foregrounds its self-deprecating humour, and although Kidd claims to have a decent-sized ego, she seems slightly nervous when talking, often checking her script. This hesitation disappears when it comes to the musical parts of her set, where she appears far more confident. Kidd has a beautiful voice, and it’s fascinating to watch her as she crafts her songs using a loop pedal and a variety of different instruments.

Shit Girlfriend’s mixture of melodic songs and entertaining stories is a lovely way to spend an hour—ideal for anyone who likes music but, during the abundance of choice that is the Fringe, doesn’t want to commit to a full-on concert.