During August Edinburgh becomes a melting pot of cultures, nationalities and, inevitably, illness. While it is inconvenient for any of us to be struck down by a bug, it is considerably more bothersome for a performer.
Over the years, we have seen a number of performers struck down with laryngitis, but few bounce back with as much success as Jade the Folk Singer. In fact, her illness may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, as the newly added interpretive dance works wonders for the musical numbers.
Folk As F**k! masquerades as a benefit gig to save folk music, but is really a cathartic trip for our host Jade. Through a blend of original songs, ripped-off song lyric poetry and personal insights we learn of Jade’s heartbreak, her unsuccessful flirtation with Sapphic love and her unbridled obsession with dolphins. The beauty of Jade’s character is that she’s trying so hard to be the embodiment of folk music – from the hippy clothes she wears to the misguided earth mother outlook on life. If we were decent human beings we’d be sympathetic towards her plight, but Jade convinces us that she is such a loser that it seems okay to laugh at her downward spiral.
While probably a little lewd for some people’s taste, Folk As F**k! is a delightfully explicit and hilarious look at an oft-derided culture. It may not build any new bridges, but it does mean we can have a good old laugh from the other bank.
4/5
Richard Biggs
