Camden Fringe 2024: Break a Leg Babe at the Museum of Comedy

Tucked away from the chaos of central London, in the crypt of the Grade 1 listed Church of Saint George, to describe the Museum of Comedy as “intimate” would be an understatement. It was the Russian Doll equivalent of architecture and David Lynch equivalent of set design; the rooms got smaller as one progressed further into the theatre. Passing through the main stage and the well–stocked bar, which led to yet another hidden miniature stage behind curtains and seated no more than 20 people, this basement space has been a platform for up–and–coming comedians and thespians such as Frankie Boyle since 2014, when it first opened on April Fool’s Day.

Directed by Jennifer Brooke and performed by Rebecca Bayne, Break a Leg Babe was a credible attempt at humour. A struggling actress named Actress dumped by her agent in her late 20s and desperate to find work, as well as suffering from a skin disorder contracted from her so-called boyfriend, is certainly a promising premise for comedy. In a generic sense, it contained all the elements required to persuade a chuckle, such as mockery, audience interaction, sarcasm and loutish crudeness. However, aside from the talking, highly critical baby, the show could benefit from more wit and imagination. Nevertheless, despite the limited budget and the actors still learning their craft, which added to the comedic effect, the intimacy of the venue complemented the visceral impact of this narrative, as it was clear that it had been centred around evoking a strong sense of sensibility, with Actress’s plight being so in tune with millennial career angst. 

There were brief moments of laughter in response to the very relatable moments, particularly when Actress started throwing her CV into the audience in a frenzy of frustration, the playing of the harp with bloody fingers and having to learn cartwheels for a particular part in a play, and the dramatic ending of the killing of the two–year–old baby who had already achieved success in the dramatic arts. Overall, Break a Leg Babe was a short spectacle of glossy entertainment, courtesy of the Camden Fringe Festival for Performing Arts 2024.