Seen by Federica Balbi at Edinburgh Festival Fringe on the 7th of August 2024
4 stars – pretty funny
Gianna Milici has a lot of energy and talent – this is the first thing to be said about this show. Part stand-up comedy, part musical show, Pretty Delusional is a solid creation and a showcase of the young performer’s multiple abilities.
The character has been in love many times, perhaps she has constantly been, and has been struggling with what to do with that feeling. In the stage transposition her teenage loves, emotions are utterly physical (and cause unwished bodily reactions). A perfect occasion for a comedian to grasp, and an art Gianna Milici masters.
Little choreographies and props decorate the performance in an economic, funny and smart way. Together with the mastery of space (in an Elizabethan-like disposition), these elements at times bring the show’s language closer to that of a theatrical performance. The writing could have a twist to make some episodes spark more, but the overall construction is entertaining.
While leaving, audience members were still singing to themselves the show songs, with music by Shelbie Rassler, that parody a tradition of romantic musical songs. The young performer-persona has an ironic take on her contemporary coming-of-age story, as she abandons idealised romanticism in the name of the paradigm switch that young, unsteady relationships are mostly based on.
2nd-24th August; 5.10 pm
Running time: 45 minutes
Venue: Venue 38, TheSpace Triplex
Tickets and Info: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pretty-delusional
Company Website: https://www.giannamilici.com/
Butterwort 
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