Sofie Hagen brought barrels of laughs to The Lemon Tree as part of Aberdeen International Comedy Festival last night.
Having also appeared at the last Aberdeen International Comedy Festival back in 2019, Hagen returned for her second festival appearance in fine form.
The Danish comedian and proud fat acceptance campaigner delivered a wholly inclusive performance free from any anxieties often plague intimate comedy shows like being picked on for sitting in the front row.
Her content ebbed and flowed around various funny personal encounters and social topics.
Far from being a show about condescending Fat Jokes, this was a show that embodied body positivity through cleverly crafted humour.
Fat and proud
Writing in The Guardian earlier this year, Hagen questioned if there are “any comedians out there who aren’t fatphobic” – either directly or indirectly.
Much of Hagen’s work, including as author of the globally successful Happy Fat book, is dedicated to changing perceptions about being fat through body positivity and humour.
Her Fat Jokes show last night typified this superbly.
The Lemon Tree’s seated set up was prepared with people of all shapes and sizes in mind as well as the toilets being gender neutral spaces, due to Hagen’s requests.
To visit a comedy show without fear of feeling singled out for any reason may have been a new experience for most of the audience last night.
Here’s to more comedians taking these inclusive touches to their shows going forward!
First impressions
Walking out onto the stage in a shimmering pink sequin dress, Hagen immediately captured the Aberdeen audience’s attention.
Mocking references to her Dundee show the previous night brought the north-east crowd on her side.
Seated shows can sometimes be criticised for their lack of atmosphere – especially in venues like The Lemon Tree where standing is usually the norm.
But despite the show not being a sell-out, the atmosphere did not lack with everyone from the front row to the back joining in the comedy camaraderie.
Crowd pleasing
Being queer and nonbinary herself, Hagen probed into heterosexual stereotypes to great effect in her opening sketches.
Her sense of timing was superb and you could sense the moments of improvisation that were thought up on the spot, which were impressively delivered.
Later gags surrounding her own day-to-day encounters were executed well – a story surrounding an altercation at a hairdresser’s was particularly great.
Hagen’s fans (of which there were many) also made themselves heard in the audience with massive cheers pairing with Hagen’s biggest punchlines.
A few spontaneous moments that evidently ran off script brought further laughs, but it would’ve been nice to have seen Hagen offer more of this, especially by getting the crowd more involved in the performance.
Towards the show’s conclusion, the crowd lapped up Hagen’s jokes on typical British stereotypes before she finished off on an ironic note by asking the audience to “gimme your money” by buying items at the merch stand.
Show with bright moments
There were many bright moments for The Lemon Tree audience to savour at Sofie Hagen’s show last night.
She formed a great addition to the Aberdeen International Comedy Festival bill, with her inimitable character, bright personality and inclusive messages shining throughout.
A running theme underlying the sketches would’ve been beneficial in bringing more of a sense of togetherness to the show, which at times it lacked.
Further interaction with the crowd could’ve heightened the experience even further.
But regardless of this, Hagen showed that she is still a top stand-up who oozes talent on stage.
Conversation