Little Lark of London

Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine is a wonderfully chaotic mix between the romance novels of Jane Austen and the humour of TikTok that tells the story of Clementine, a young woman who is given until her 27th birthday to find a man. Unfortunately for her, her birthday is tomorrow and every man she has courted in the past has tragically passed. What’s a 26-year-old to do?

The show starts with a very well-done video, using clips of women from the 19th and 20th centuries to set up the context of the story. And then, Clementine emerges. From the second she steps on stage, Minnitt has the audience wrapped around her finger, charming them with her quick wit and fantastic physicality. She is dressed in a Regency-era gown but is clearly from a time much closer to ours, using modern slang (including some lines with TikTok trends that had literally just gone viral days before). 

There is some fantastic audience interaction in the show, including props that have been left for audience members on their seats like electronic tealights, fans, and signs. We become the universe and its stars, guiding Clementine on her journey to find love. One audience member also becomes her new beau, being pulled up on stage to dance before going back into the audience (to return later? You’ll have to go see and find out!). 

Even with Clementine’s absolutely delusional behaviour that will have you in tears of laughter, the show is a powerful reflection on the pressure that has been placed on women for generations to find a husband before they “run out of time.” Without slowing down the intense energy and pace of the show, Minnitt uses the ending to make a powerful statement on the strength of women. 

Ultimately, Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine is an absolutely brilliant show that manages to brilliantly combine the romance and humour of Regency and modern romance, creating an absurdist comedy with a heartfelt ending. It is pure, unhinged fun and I cannot recommend it enough. Who needs a man when you have the delusional girlies??

Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine runs at Underbelly, Cowgate, Delhi Belly at 14:25 from 22 to 27 August.