The Footlight’s first ever Lady Smoker graced the stage of the ADC this Tuesday, and it was one of the most comfortable, welcoming shows I have ever seen in Cambridge. The staunch masculinity of the Footlights conceded some slight breathing space, and, for one night, a cast solely comprised of women and non-binary actors performed sketch comedy. Comedy in Cambridge is always strangely uplifting: friends seeing their friends cheer when they come out on stage, and break into manic cackles regardless of the joke. This was the vibe at the ADC. It was almost a homecoming, despite the night being a debut show for many actors, and an hour of brand new material. 

The sketches were in the spirit of the classic Footlights eclectic range of cheesy to surreal comedy. A cow’s rights activist (who was, by coincidence, herself a cow) opened the show to a warm start. Throughout, singing, dancing, slow motion, and fake fighting all contributed to the immense energy of the show. 

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The structure of the Smoker also incorporated a lot of opportunity for individual performance. And here, the way in which the Smoker plays with the fact it has a wholly female and non-binary ensemble is best demonstrated, as performers engaged with this topic in both their content and acting - and the show was all the better for it. Biba Kang’s ‘poem,’ “I don’t know why people don’t complain about blowjobs more,” in which she expresses her loathing of the act was a particular highlight — an inspiring moment that elicited rallying cries from the audience. In fact, the crudest moments were probably my favourites, and Rhiannon Shaw’s reading of a sex advice book as a Scottish woman in a W. H. Smith's service station was honestly incredible.

"The Smoker engaged with womanhood in such a playful and realistic way"

Yet, the stand-up comedy of the night was undoubtedly the most hit-and-miss. Some performers fell into the unfortunate position of showing the crowd that they were nervous, and as an audience member, it’s always strangely difficult to find something funny whilst feeling so sympathetic for the performer. However, the Smoker's stand-up components were simultaneously the moments in which the real standouts of the show could shine. Stand-up comic Isa Bonachera had everyone beside themselves — deadpan humour and a thick Spanish accent proved to be an iconic combination, and she was a fantastic conclusion to the show.

Boobs came up a lot; the comedy 'taboo' of feminism was poked at and explored in a manner that was both entertaining and honest. We all know that being a feminist is difficult sometimes, and I loved how the Smoker engaged with womanhood in such a playful and realistic way. And it was funny - and not just funny because, "I’m a girl and, OMG I have a period too!”. Rather, it was funny because the content was unique and the actors gave it their all. Because ultimately, being a woman is kind of funny. It is often ridiculous and difficult and all in all, not a bad source for content, really.

"A high-energy cluster of talent, shouting that abounds with puns"

The Lady Smoker was in many ways, a lot like other Footlights Smokers. It was a high-energy cluster of talent, shouting that abounds with puns. There were some awkward moments, and a few silences, and I learnt about five new euphemisms for 'vagina'. But ultimately, I laughed a lot, and had a great evening. It made me really happy, and it seemed the audience felt the same way. You can’t ask for much more from student comedy