1000 Tiny Birds

Ania Magliano - I Can't Believe You've Done This

Pleasance Courtyard, 2023-08-13

If yesterday was the day of the weird stuff, today is much more a day of down the middle stand up. This is not to be discrediting or diminishing - an hour of straight forward good jokes and storytelling can be just as compelling as convoluted high concept “shows”. Ania Magliano gives us almost just that. It’s an accomplished second hour, nominally about the haircut that ruined her life, but of course it can not and will not be that simple. The turn, when it comes, is handled beautifully - it doesn’t feel gratuitous, it doesn’t feel out of place, it doesn’t drop the mood. There is some lovely observational comedy, an assured stage presence - as a friend of mine describes it, like being in a warm bath. It definitely feels more mature than last year’s already strong debut hour. I am cheeky enough to offer a topper afterwards in return for a sticker. The run is sold out. Later this week, Ania’s doing an extra show at the Beyond, about five times the capacity of the Baby Grand. This too is sold out. We’re all just living in her world now, and it’s going to be sun to see where Magliano goes next.