Fringe review: FLO & JOAN - THE JOAN & FLO SHOW, Assembly George Square Studios

Flo and Joan who, to our shock horror are actually called Rosie and Nicola, have two shows at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. One is a musical and the other the self-titled The Joan and Flo Show goes back to their roots and is how we have just spent a delightful 60 minutes. What more could you want on a Saturday afternoon than listening to a selection of catchy and clever songs?!

The premise is simple, Flo plays the piano and Joan the percussion and together, they sing their silly little songs with a few stories in between. But there is a reason the Dempsey sisters are critically acclaimed and that is because they are masterful songwriters who perfectly combine music with comedy. Observational comedians are ten a penny, but Flo and Joan’s use of music makes them unique. Where else are you going to experience a hilarious song about waiting for a parcel?!

The rapport between the sisters is endearing; Joan is kooky, and Flo is more of the straight “man”, but both have a wonderful ability to make people laugh. The pair know they are being silly, especially when singing a song about a never-ending apology but that is the point and as they split us into ‘Flo’s and Joan’s’ and get us clapping along, we are instantly onside.

Their music is incredibly relatable. They open with a satirical song about confidence followed shortly by a number about embarrassment and being haunted by what other people think. This is also a show that is brilliantly British, which is highlighted by a song they wrote to celebrate a hundred years of television. It is a wonder how they conjure up the lyrics, which are jampacked full of societal references, tongue twisters and ridiculousness. Their folk song about the lady in the woods surmises all of these elements.

The Joan & Flo Show is intelligent and playful in equal parts. The cleverest element being the subtle politicism that is weaved through the music. A feminist song about the realities of walking home as a woman at night and a story about them being mistaken for a lesbian couple at Disneyland. However, this is not the aim of the show which, at its heart, is just fun.

Flo and Joan have been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for a number of years and we hope they continue to bring their sensationally silly and endearing show for years to come.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Sophie Luck

Flo & Joan: The Joan & Flo Show plays at Assembly George Square Studios until 25 Aug, with further info here.