Review: Amy Matthews

Amy Matthews turns the lens on disassociation in her sophomore Fringe show, taking the audience on a personal journey as she rebuilds her life following a breakdown. She successfully weaves a mental health narrative with humorous observations in a well-structured and entertaining hour.

Following two break-ups in a year, Amy Matthews’ system shut down and she found herself floating in between different states of mind, as well as jobs, flats and relationships. In I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders, she tells the story about how she reconnected with herself and others, making good use of audio and props along the way.

Sharing her thoughts on Henry VIII, the aubergine emoji, and the different types of children at weddings, Matthews keeps the show upbeat and light-hearted, while also touching on real issues – such as the difficulty of finding a mental health professional or trying to get the attention of her best friend when her kids are around.

It all amounts to an enjoyable and relaxed hour, delivered by a confident performer who is clearly in a better place now than a year ago. I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders is witty rather than laugh-out-loud funny, but Matthews’ sharp observations and comic timing more than makes up for the lack of belly laughs.