Jay Foreman: Pretend You’re Happy 4/5

From beginning by asking for a guitar-playing member of the audience to volunteer to play something whilst he went and got a drink of water, Jay Foreman was relaxed and immensely watchable.  Our particular ‘fill-in’ was really good as it turned out, prompting an “alright, get your own show!” on Jay’s return to begin the show itself.  The lyrics are clever and funny in equal measure and recognise shared experiences wonderfully.  In particular, songs about Calypso, Captain Birdseye and students stealing food got much applause and laughter.  My particular favourites were two tunes about no longer trusting Radio 4 (including accurately whistled ‘pips’!) and his search for a “Slightly Imperfect Girl”, from which I have now made a list to circulate amongst my single friends!  The music is linked with confident banter, includes poems as well as songs and an enthusiastically enjoyable amount of audience participation.  I thoroughly enjoyed this hour of my Fringe experience and would urge you to go along to hear ‘Doh a deer’ sung 1 syllable too late throughout, analysis of the Neighbours theme tune and the track which gives the show its name.  I bought both CDs after the show and have been humming them ever since!

Jay Foreman: Pretend You’re Happy is performed at the Underbelly from Aug 5-29.  Read more details and audience reviews here.