Review by
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review.
Liz Coin returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a premise born of classic comedy nightmare fuel: the two-person show where only one person actually shows up. Left high and dry, Coin does what any seasoned improviser would do—she turns the spotlight directly onto the room and drafts the audience into filling the void.
What ensues is a gloriously unhinged, high-velocity hour that leans heavily into the unpredictable nature of crowd work. Coin is a magnetic, hyper-energetic performer who handles the room with the deft touch of someone who genuinely thrives on chaos. Rather than making audience participation feel forced, her infectious warmth makes the room eager to step into her spotlight. The "gags gone wrong" bit is executed with sharp comic timing, seamlessly blurring the line between scripted mishaps and genuinely spontaneous moments.
What elevates Lizzy Sunshine above a standard character show or crowd-work set is the subtle layer of vulnerability running beneath the noise. Amid the frantic attempt to pull off a two-person show solo, there is a genuine, poignant reflection on abandonment, adaptability, and the human need for connection. Coin uses the absurdity of the situation to explore what happens when our expectations collapse and we're forced to rely on strangers to pick up the pieces.
Beneath the silliness and play, the show also touches on addiction and the effects it can have on those around you. Coin also takes donations for an addiction charity, which is a neat touch. This does drastically turn the show into something more serious before ramping it back up with a sing-a-long at the end.
While the show’s success relies somewhat on the specific energy of the crowd on any given night, Coin has built a framework sturdy enough to weather even the quietest volunteers. If you're looking for a sharp, interactive, feel-good hour that embraces the pure, seat-of-your-pants spirit of the Fringe, Lizzy Sunshine delivers in spades. Just be prepared: you might end up with a stage credit by the time the lights go down.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lizzy Sunshine runs at Gilded Balloon Patter House - Coorie until Monday 31st August 2026. For tickets visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lizzy-sunshine
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