Bec Hill is perhaps best known for their flip-chart powered humour, in which misheard lyrics are expanded on through the use of a flip-chart/pop-up book prop. Hill also presented an ‘art for kids’ show called Makeaway Takeaway, which only stopped because the channel it was on ended. They’re also a very good stand-up comedian, presenter and so on. Basically, their talent is sort of obvious.
They have returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe after a six-year absence with a show title that rivals A Young Man Dressed As A Gorilla Dressed As An Old Man Sits Rocking In A Rocking Chair for 56 Minutes and Then Leaves in terms of length and ambiguity. It’s a chaotic title and, as you might expect, a pretty chaotic act.
Bec Hill: Guess Who’s Bec, Bec Again? Bec Hill’s Bec! (tell a friend) is somewhat humble and low-key affair, or at least as low-key as Hill can manage. It does begin with them blowing up a rather large airbed, with an overhead projector explaining that this show was put together rather randomly. And that it’s not a show, apparently. The message on the overhead projector tells us that throughout the show, which is not a show. Except it absolutely is a show. A very good show.
We progress to a mix of stand-up comedy and humorous prop-work. Some of the pieces don’t seamlessly move into each other, but we barely notice, because we’re laughing so hard.
We also get a bit of an update on Bec’s life; they’ve successfully completed their marriage, which is a novel way of saying ‘recently divorced’. But this is not a show about trauma, it’s a show about living your life the way you can, and reminding yourself about who you are.
It’s also a very silly show about puns, wild art and taking the time to enjoy oneself. It is full of joy in a way that feels very real and honest. This is a gem of a show; heart-warmingly funny and clever. It’s everything we expect from Bec Hill.
Bec Hill: Guess Who’s Bec, Bec Again? Bec Hill’s Bec! (tell a friend) is not only a triumphant return to the fringe, it’s an absolute must-see.
You can book tickets here, and find out about future shows here.
