Jude Simpson seems a happy person. Perhaps this should be possible to divine from the title of her comedy set - Making Happy - but nowhere is it more in evidence than in the easygoing manner of the lady herself. She is loved-up and proud of it, and her positive demeanour is very easy on the ear.

Her show is an amalgam of spoken-word, rap, songs and comedy routines, which is something that might not be expected on first sight. She makes light of her middle-class background throughout, introducing one skit with the quip 'It's a bit R-and-B. Well, as much as you can be when you are 36 and from Cambridge.' And there is a song singing the praises of John Lewis (yes, the department store) and a rap regarding the satisfaction of ticking off to-do lists. She revels in everyday, middle-class life, and provides a quietly amusing running commentary on foibles and little oddities of the everyday.

The opening ten minutes cover the wonder that is Blade hand-dryers, which loos to find them in, and why they are so particularly special. This is keenly observed and a good start. Interacting seems to be a paramount task, and with one-liners such as 'you quite enjoyed that in spite of yourselves, didn't you' as structural parts of her set, she starts out on a good foot.

She also has a point. There is very much an 'in spite of yourself' enjoyment to this comedy. Spending an hour listening to 50 Cent tracks playing in the background while a middle-class white woman rambles over the top doesn't sound inspiring - it sounds potentially incredibly cringey. Tick It Off does err into this region, with participation demanded as items are ticked off the list. There is even a physical tick-list on a flip-chart.

But her observations are keenly noted and her poetry and songs are neatly constructed - which goes a long way in negating the cringe-worthy feeling some may find with some of her raps. Similarly, the main thrust of the evening is towards Making Happy - promoting a positive attitude in the world, and encouraging the inner idealist. She also has a lovely singing voice, and her poetry narration is very lyrically pleasing. The combination of these last two factors makes for a positive and life-affirming interlude with a comedienne who seems self-aware, self-assured and willing to share the secrets she's found in finding a little niche of happiness in the world. With such a positive message, nitpicking seems churlish and unnecessary.

Jude Simpson provides an hour of light commentary on the world as it is, and an optimistic and constructive spin on daily existence. She won't conquer the world, but then she doesn't need to: she seems happy with the cul–de-sac of it she already lives in.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Jude Simpson.

Company Credits: Writer - Jude Simpson. Director - uncredited. Technical Operator - Katrinka Brose. Front Of House - Gem Kendrick. Producer - uncredited. Company - uncredited. Website - www.judesimpson.co.uk.

END

(c) Alex Matthews 2009

reviewed Thursday 13 August 09 / Camden Head, London UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com