Don’t let the title fool you; you don’t have to identify as a woman, you don’t need to be over forty and you don’t even have to be sexual to identify with the themes expertly portrayed in Yoga & Sex…For Women (Over 40). Written and performed by Kathryn Haywood, with direction from Dan Mersh, this show- heading to Edinburgh’s Fringe Festival 2024, with a pitstop in London- is witty and authentic- there’s a laugh for everybody!

Venue permitting- the lights come up (or you open your eyes) to see Kath, an Aussie yoga instructor, finishing a class for those with flatulence in a pose deemed to help a number of ailments. You, the audience, are here for her next class- Yoga & Sex…For Women (Over 40). Based on three real-life Australian self-help books from the 1960s, Kath takes her class on a journey full of “helpful” advice and exercises to ensure a woman remains youthful in her body, clear in her mind, wrinkle-free in her face and easy breezy in her mood…notice the recurring themes of a woman having all the responsibility? What may initially appear as nothing but tongue-in-cheek and double-entendres has a deeper message, but you’ll have to step into her class to find out exactly what that is…

Haywood’s characterisation is phenomenal and it is easy to imagine the character of Kath in a multitude of scenarios. Throughout the show I was taken back to iconic roles created by Catherine Tate, Matt Lucas and David Walliams- without the controversy. Haywood seamlessly breaks the fourth wall yet stays on track without missing a beat. Throughout, patrons are invited onstage to assist in demonstrations, yet where audience participation is not everyone’s bag, this is a safe space and Haywood remains the butt of the joke- sometimes literally.

Don’t hesitate in booking tickets to see this show at the Fringe- it is 50 minutes of pure, wholesome comedy with heart and I’ve no doubt people will be bending over backwards to get their tickets!

Further information and booking for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival available here.

Gifted in exchange for an honest review.