Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Thanks to the internet, we all know a Karen, or at least a facsimile of her, the crude interpretation that could have gone by any name, but which represents the base line to which we expect certain individuals to have their say. The moment of excruciating agony when a waiter or anyone in the service industry comes up against their nemesis, the one who demands to see the manager over the most frivolous and bizarre claims, that is where the Karen comes in, all seeing, all justified, and either scary or frustrating.

Whilst the name is one coined to the sound of a thousand memes, it is in the observation of habit that humour is created, and there is arguably nobody finer than those with a flair for the dramatic, the ones who can give a withering, sarcastic look in the eye and make it look as if they empathise with the demand, or even the off duty waiter with a history of biting comedy in his arsenal, to make a stand.

Eddie Fortune’s comedy might not be everybody’s cup of tea, but frankly that does not matter, let the bitter slug back their coffee and taste the relentless march of the values they have neglected to move with; because comedy may be subjective, but observation will always have a place in bringing down the over inflated demands of those who believe they are entitled to behave appallingly.

As Mr. Fortune takes on the world of the Karen, empathised by the enormous glass of wine by his side, the wonderful touch of the Dave Allen in his stance and the barbed sideways glances to all, other factors come into play, the sauciness, the wonderful resilience of cheek and nerve, and the whole of the glory to which is his life; a resounding comic to whom more should be made of and a night with him and Karen opened up that possibility with sharply delivered jokes and punchy wit.

Back in 2011 Eddie, alongside Rosie MacPherson and John James Tomlinson, thrilled a Unity Theatre crowd with the devastating play Elastic Bridge, he has done so much in between that time, so many great nights, and yet under his own steam, dealing with the Karen’s of the world one prosecco at a time, he has never flown so high, and it is a stand up show to revel in.

Ian D. Hall