Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013 – REVIEW & INTERVIEW – Tanyalee Davis – Big Trouble in Little ‘Gina ****

Tanyalee Davis – Big Trouble in Little ‘Gina, Assembly Rooms 7:45pm, until 25 Aug, £10 (£9 concessions)

Canadian comedian Tanyalee Davis invites the audience to relive a hectic and exhausting time in her life earlier this year. Honest and explicit, the tale of Davis’ blood clot and fibroids may not seem like one that could be discussed in a comedic capacity, but the detailed account of her medical escapade is told with an engaging integrity that it is packed with humour throughout.

Davis immediately informs the audience of the outcome of her pain-filled tale; she survives! This is incredibly fortunate as it has given her an opportunity to create a show which explores her brave ordeal in a frank and graphic manner (thanks to the photos she weaves into the performance) while looking back on the experience in a light-hearted way.

Tanyalee Davis spoke to The Edinburgh Reporter about the show, her experience at the Fringe and her latest televised work ‘I’m Spazticus’ on Channel 4.

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She regularly mentions those closest to her. Their support has helped her to regain confidence to return to the stage to share her story. The narrative does include strong language and many, many slang terms for her anatomy, but her word choice is not vile and unfunny, like the language of some of her comedy counterparts. Davis’ charm and fearlessness allow her to be very direct, making for a memorable hour.

Davis’ ability to make you feel like you were with her every step of the way and her funny observations and positive energy make this a captivating piece of comedy which may not be for the faint-hearted but will make you realise how fortunate you are and how it is possible to get through difficult times.