When I found out that Jennifer was going to be at the Fringe I couldn’t believe my luck, I mean, seriously couldn’t believe it. So it took me a while to get over this shock and when I was told I had a ticket to see her show I think I nearly wet myself, I should explain. A few months ago I saw an episode of Frasier in which Ms Coolrige had a guest role as Martin’s new housekeeper/physical therapist, Frederica in the episode Gone But Not Forgotten.
I was a little unsure about the success of this as many famous people who think they can do stand up bring shows to the fringe and bomb like nobodies business. So imagine my surprise when Jennifer turns out to be something a small revelation with her show being a major success. There was a nice bit at the start where she couldn’t open her water and she asked a guy in the front row to open it!
The night I was there the place was sold out. The woman in front of me was trying to explain to her dad who Jennifer was, ‘She was in A Mighty Wind, you know it…yeah, her.’ She tried to mention her American Pie role but her dad just stared blank. Then just as she as starting to use her Blackberry to IMDB Jennifer Sue Perkins walked in, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans I actually think she tried covering her eyes (you know the way they do it when they don’t want to get recognised).
And then it was time for Jennifer who came out in the highest shoes I have ever seen and a dress so tight she would have to spend the rest of the night fixing herself for giving the audience a real treat. After a little messing about with a scarf she had intended to wear (this was due to the venue being hotter than hell and the fan behind her) Jennifer quickly and easily started her show.
Relationships, celebrities (Paris Hilton being her first target), sex, the fact she always plays the cooky best friend roles, Oprah, animals, her family, and auditions where just some of the themes she used and to her benefit she quickly got out some of her more famous roles, Stiflers Mom, Legally Blonde, and some lesser known roles like in Sophies Choice and Brokeback mountain – this part of the show is fantastic and I will never eat a pastry again with out feeling both guilty and happy.
It was clear, and much to the delight of the audience, that she would focus on Hollywood, her career in the industry and some of the people she has met. There was a wonderful sense of class and warmth from Jennifer and she managed to make people at easy from the start. The venue was hot but was perfect for her first show outside the US and I doubt at all she would have much trouble getting a bigger and more air conditioned venue sold out but that would have been arrogant.
‘Jennifer covered a great deal of topics and her celebrity piss takes where inspired. There was something special about this show, gentle as it was mean and harsh to the celebrities and circumstance she finds herself in. Keenly observed and a really joy to watch Jennifer Coolridge is in a class of her own, do not miss this show, a real original!’
Jennifer is at the Assembly George Street till the 29th August 2010.
