Reviewed by Jodie Crawford

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was super excited to be asked to review a stand up comic – one, because I haven’t seen any stand up since before I had my kids seven years ago and two, because I’ve never reviewed a stand up gig before and I’m always keen to try something new. And this show really is new! Tonight was opening night for a nationwide tour – a tour that you absolutely have to go and see, and take every friend you have with you, because they are not going to want to miss out.

My only knowledge of Rachel Fairburn is that she once sat next to a friend of mine on a train to London and moved seats once my friend started eating crisps! Which is possibly the best “I once met” story I have ever heard. And before tonight, before getting a small insight into Rachel’s soul, I considered this to be a big precious. But now I know that there is absolutely nothing precious about Rachel Fairburn. She just literally won’t do anything she doesn’t want to do – including have kids, sit in the pub with other people’s kids and have anyone stay over at her house! 

Rachel draws a good size crowd for opening night in Manchester and from the minute we entered the auditorium I realised that Rachel clearly has a strong following and while most of the audience were women, they were woman of all ages.  

The show begins with Rachel entering onto stage as the warm up to her warm up act. And she captures us with her warm, no nonsense storytelling from the minute she opens her mouth. Mancunians, love another Mancunian- and Rachel is no exception. You can tell the audience are willing her to be funny- and there was nothing to fear because this woman is bloody hilarious.

Rachel spins us a few very funny tales and then leaves the stage all warmed up for Tom Lawrinson, her support act. Tom is funny, slightly odd (in a good way) and the crowd love him. He nudges the boundaries of appropriate and the crowd lap it up. The people sat next to me were chanting his name in joy after his set. 

When Rachel returns to the stage, she returns as the title of her show “the showgirl” – how she wore that outfit for the whole show in the 30 degree heat, and under the lights of the stage, I will never know. This show is unlike any I’ve seen before, she is so spot on with her observations and her reflections on nostalgic culture. The comparisons between the haves and the have nots, the observations of TV culture and her hilarious tales of her childhood. I don’t want to give away any of her gags – but if your name is Paula, then you’re in for a treat or two! 

Rachel Fairburn is clever, bold, brilliant and does one of the best Mancunians swaggers I’ve ever seen anyone, who doesn’t have the surname Gallagher, do. This show is a triumph, a masterpiece and an ode to turning middle aged. In a world where often people try to put us down and tell us to stop showing off – we could all just be a bit more Rachel, a bit more of a Showgirl. 

Tickets are on sale from ATG for the remainder of the tour – don’t hesitate – go see it. And take tissues because you will 100% be crying with laughter – just “ask Jeeves”.

Tickets for Rachel Fairburn’s tour are on sale now, click here for more info.