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Edinburgh Fringe 2012

Keira Daley: LadyNerd

Keira Daley

Genre: Drama

Venue:

Assembly @ George Square

Festival:


Low Down

The title doesn’t entirely relate to Keira Daley herself. It’s more a reclamation of the phrase, even if that phrase has only just been invented. She’s quite clear that there’s a distinction between Geek, which is marketed by advertising and the makers of The Big Bang Theory (the television programme as opposed to the actual, you know, theory).

Review

The title doesn’t entirely relate to Keira Daley herself. It’s more a reclamation of the phrase, even if that phrase has only just been invented. She’s quite clear that there’s a distinction between Geek, which is marketed by advertising and the makers of The Big Bang Theory (the television programme as opposed to the actual, you know, theory).

Generally speaking, this takes the form of a comedy lecture, with songs, as she runs up and down history, celebrating the important women of science and invention – the Lady Nerds of the title. There’s a bit of a stumble between subjects and songs, where, for some reason, the stage goes to black – not entirely necessary, as there’s very little going on in the way of costume and set change. This is a minor concern, however, as there’s a great deal to engage about our host.
 
She’s as infectious as Marie Curie’s filofax, with a sparkly demeanor, proving that science can be smart and sexy. In this respect, whether she likes it not, she’s got a fair chance of a guest appearance on that  sit-com we were discussing earlier. All manner of great, world changing women are discussed via paradoy songs, like Mme Currie and Florence Nightingale, as well as Ada Lovelace, who had as much – if not more – to do with the creation of the modern computer as Charles Babbage.
 
In this respect, she’s more interested in being interesting than funny, which makes for relaxing hour – it means there’s less pressure to shoe-horn gags into a inhospitable environment – which Physics 101 will tell you is always going to end badly – but it’s still somewhat unsure who the audience is meant to be: women themselves, men who don’t pass girls in glasses, or those who regard Liz Lemon as their homegirl. It’s slightly challenging to make a Venn diagram that includes all three.
 
However, this show deserves an audience much larger than the one this reviewer witnessed, and it’s hoped that the crowds will increase expentionally as we approach the end of the Fringe. Daley is a charismatic host who’s able to inform on anything from the inventor of what we in the UK call correction fluid to the wonder of Amelia Earhart. Although if she’s been able to help any of the hordes getting lost betwen Assembly George Square and Assembly George Street is anyone’s guess.

Published