Edinburgh Fringe Review: Katie Brennan’s Quarter-Life Crisis Review ✭✭✭✭

Review by Ellen Cree

Katie Brennan’s Quarter-Life Crisis is a comedy show that all the 20 something girls of Britain will find somewhat hilarious and relatable. With songs by Katie herself and musical director and keyboard accompanist Joseph Atkins, you will be in for a fun night with tunes inspired by various pop hits from across the decades and musical numbers. Performed in a sort of comedy cabaret hybrid style show in the Underbelly’s intimate venue, Katie Brennan sings the story of her personal experiences. Such experiences including her moving to a new city where the possibilities are endless, however, she soon discovers that finding a job is proving a lot more difficult than she initially thought. Brennan also sings about her inability to find a decent man while she expresses her frustration at becoming a serial bridesmaid to her friends who all seem to be maturing faster than herself and settling down as she spends her evenings on the famous dating app Tinder.

While the majority of the show is light hearted, upbeat and fun, there is a section of the show in which Katie talks and sings about her struggles with depression, and how it has shaped her life and impacted her performances. She sings about her demons which will leave the audience in silence before her beautiful rendition of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ by The Beatles, which, unless you have a heart of stone, will leave you with mascara running down your cheeks.

A personal highlight of the show for myself was the fun, original number ‘I’m Not Carrie Bradshaw’ which incorporates 20+ 90s music references in a hilarious fashion. Before she even begins the song, Katie pulls a Gin and Tonic from her bra which thus sets the tone for the night.

Katie Brennan’s Quarter-Life Crisis will have you crying both happy and sad tears and will leave you feeling warm and that you are not the only one panicking about how you have no idea what you are doing with your life although you are in your 20s. Finally, the performance will put you in great spirits for the night ahead.