Nina Conti is a very talented ventriloquist, of that there is no doubt – seamlessly slipping between her cast of puppets and herself. And this is a brave task considering her co-star, Monkey, is a bit of a ‘handful’ to say the least. Even braver stunts are made as Conti juggles her cast of puppets two at a time, while being hypnotised and held prisoner in her own show!
Monkey is trapped in Nina’s imagination and is trying to alert Nina to the fact that a) she is repressed and needs psychiatric help and b) that he wants another comedy partner. And so the story of Evolution is told – the evolution of the relationship between Nina and her imaginary, foul mouthed puppet friend.
Although a puppet show at heart, this is not a child-friendly one; the language is choice to put it politely! Crudely funny – Monkey holds nothing back – Conti has a true gift for ventriloquism (even if Monkey and, in a guest appearance, her dad, disagree.) This is an entertaining and well played act and it is hard to believe that it is fuelled by just one energetic and funny woman.
3/5 
Libby Pollock
