It was only six years ago that Cat Cohen won the Best Newcomer Award at the 2019 Fringe with her debut show, but a lot has happened since: not least a Netflix special, some prestigious TV credits, and the small matter of a mini-stroke resulting from a hole in the heart. Luckily for Cohen, it really is all material.
Broad Strokes centres – naturally – mainly on the stroke, Cohen bringing her signature blend of sharp-tongued comedy and confessional showtunes to the story of her diagnosis and subsequent treatment. What could, in other hands, be the stuff of a trauma plot instead becomes a rollicking tale of main character syndrome and neurosis. Cohen knows her – largely female and chronically online – audience and she plays to them unapologetically, a punchline about Labubus in one breath, a name check of Zendaya’s stylist in the next.
Broad Strokes is a tightly crafted hour dripping in confidence and charisma, the quality never dipping between stand-up and song. Accompanied ably by Frazer Hadfield on keys in the musical numbers, Cohen’s voice is as clear as a bell and her lyrics just as piercing. This is cabaret comedy at its best, zipping along with not a note or line wasted.
Cat Cohen: Broad Strokes, Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 Aug (not 6, 12, 13, 19), 9pm