Lou Sanders has most definitely got something. She is one of the quirkiest comics on the circuit with a distinctive style all of her own. It would come as no surprise if I am not the first person to call her Loopy Lou.

Her latest show, however, feels like a transitional moment between uncontrollable zaniness and going straight. I think What’s That Lady Doing? might be her first full show in a proper pay-for-your-ticket venue. She certainly referenced the change of venue last night early on during one of her random monologues. I think she might have been a little nervous at the start, having been blindsided by a combination of dodgy spotlighting and encountering surely the only person in Edinburgh who voted leave in the front row. 

Sanders’ style is high on the scattershot scale. This show, among many other things, contained slam poetry, characters, “tips for life”, childhood anecdotes (which may partly explain why she is the way she is) and inappropriate flirtation with the audience. She has previous here - she briefly touches on the fact that she got into trouble with Absolute Radio for saying something naughty on air.

There are also some conventional jokes but these play second fiddle to her flights of fancy. Every now and again we get to hear the voices in her head or the “scat lady” who sings bad jazz with a stuffed cat on her shoulder. It’s nuts but she is able to surf the wave of lack of punchlines on a mix of energy, goofball charm and cheek. 

Sanders says she has recently given up drinking. Lord knows what she was like when she was on the sauce. If you’ve never seen her before this takes some getting used to but there are certainly flashes of creative brilliance and I’m sure there will be better to come. As with, say, John Kearns, you either take to it or you don’t. Lou Sanders has most definitely got something. I just hope it’s not catching.

Watch a clip of Lou Sanders here.

Until August 28. Tickets here.

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