The Edinburgh Fringe has a habit of throwing up weird and wonderful physical comedy shows that are left wide open to interpretation. A few years ago it was Natalie Palamides and her egg-chucking show Laid, which may or may not have been about pro-choice. This year it is Frankie Thompson's Catts, which could be about gender, identity or mental health. Or it could just be a gloriously silly tribute to the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.
It starts with Thompson attempting to get fit by following a Jane Fonda workout video, but it isn't long before things go off the rails. It's as if her vintage VHS video recorder – and her mind – has been infiltrated by the Lloyd Webber musical and all things cat-based. There are a lot of comedians talking about ADHD this year and maybe this is the ultimate ADHD show, an intimate portrayal of how the ADHD mind works, unable to focus on any one topic.
As the soundtrack chops and changes Thompson lip-syncs to lyrics and dialogue throughout, while frantically jogging around the stage or using the onstage running machine – a metaphor for life being a constant race that never goes anywhere? It's an amazing performance that doesn't let up for a second. Along the way a few running gags emerge - snippets from childhood favourites such as The Aristocats and Bagpuss. A snatch of hopeless Apprentice contestants trying to flog a cat calender.
Sometimes it all happens so fast it is hard to keep up as an audience member so how Thompson does it all is astounding. There's a brief chance for everyone to catch their breath when we hear a spooky tale of how Elaine Paige landed her role in the musical. It all happened after a strange foreshadowing. Does Thompson believe this is how the world is shaped – by something preordained – or is she sending it up?
As I said, however, meanings are never spelt out but I guess that's what you get with performance art. For those that like some clarity in their clowning this might be frustrating. But there's absolutely no denying that this is a spellbinding, uplifting show. One where you certainly come out feline better than when you went in.
Frankie Thompson, Catts, Pleasance Courtyard. Until August 28. Tickets here.
four stars
