Lauren Brady’s Swan? is a radical and hilarious re-imagining of the story of Swan Lake.  Anyone who has actually encountered a swan understands that they’re less like mystically graceful creatures and more like wild-eyed maniacs who are best either placated or avoided. Swan? is the story of a woman turned into a swan by a passing wizard and sent into exile and loneliness because of it.

Or maybe it’s about the perils of dating in a modern society. Or simply the perils of dating men in any society. The question mark in the title is there for a reason.  Regardless, this is a show about a chain-smoking, cynical and very, very funny swan lady who really, really needs a decent date.

Bubbly, funny and bizarrely horny, Swan? is a scream into the face of the patriarchy and an antidote to the toxicity that plagues femininity and masculinity. It’s unrelenting, personal and also one of those shows that if you try to explain it properly to your work colleagues at the office, well, they’ll probably avoid you for the rest of the day.

This is a clown show; physical comedy that relies on the total commitment from the performer.  We’re slightly concerned that Brady has somehow grown feathers through sheer willpower alone, so dedicated they are to the bit.

There is some audience participation; there’s an extended gag about a requirement for a hero, and prompts are solicited (via bits of paper) at the start of the show. It does not go the way you’d expect, but does happen to be deeply funny.

Brilliant, thought-provoking stuff. Simply incredible.

You can book tickets for the Edinburgh Fringe show here and learn more about the artist here.