The Limerence

Thursday 7th August 15.45

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Having decided to put together a Free Show itinerary for the second year running it is hard to know where to start. We chose the gentle Catriona Dowden to begin and then took a chance on The Limerence.

We eventually found our second new venue of the day, the rather impressive Brewdog on New Street, with .... Drumroll, comfy seats in the front row. By the fifth day of our festival we were all suffering from "Plastic seat numb-bum disease" so a huge relief!

As the previous show (a magician) had just finished) we had the bonus of seeing our host, Lizzie Lenko, putting her laptop together. Her words were "this is probably more entertaining than the show". It wasn't.

There were six of us in the audience, which pleased Lizzie as she admitted she hadn't done any flyering that day as "she didn't want an Oasis fans in". I thought this was rather a strange statement until we discovered quite quickly that Lizzie is a BIG heavy metal fan.

This is basically a story about Lizzie's life, all the ups and downs, and trust me there a lot of downs. We hear about why she is in a wheelchair, but she checks with us all about how much detail we are happy to hear and tailors her material accordingly.

There is plenty of opportunity for Lizzy to get mawkish or play the "woe is me card" but she deliberately goes in the opposite direction. Hers is very much a life is too short, just get on with it, attitude. If this sounds rather worthy, you couldn't be more wrong. It is very funny, and in contrast to the show that proceeded it, Lizzie has written a laugh out loud punchline to most set ups

When devising an itinerary for the week I try to balance the safe show, with taking a chance on something unpredictable. Trust me , the best thing about the fringe is uncovering a show that blows your mind. I have been waiting all week for a show that gives me goosebumps of excitement and The Limerence delivers in bundles.

There are three reasons to see this show. Firstly, you will see a staggering tour de force from the larger than life Lizzie Lenko. Secondly, you will be asked the unusual question "what song would you pick to wake you up from a coma?" And finally you will discover what The Limerence is. One of those reasons is enough to see this show, three makes it a no- brainer.

The three of us enjoyed the show more than most paid shows. Go, you will come out reenergised with a positive view on life and ready to do battle with the madness that is the Edinburgh Fringe. (DC)

The Limerence is running daily (not 19th) at PBH's Free Fringe @ BrewDog Doghouse Hoteluntil August 24th - details here