Impressionist Jess Robinson was a Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist in 2017 and there is definitely something of the ITV primetime entertainer about her.
She exudes an irrepressible stage-school sparkle that suggests she would do a quick 10 minutes if her fridge door opened and the light came on.
Her show, No Filter, partly aims to rough up this squeaky-clean reputation. The suggestion is that she would like to be more unedited but apart from some wind instrument-inspired innuendo and Shakira-style gyrations she is still pretty much on her best behaviour.
There is no denying that this mimic is marvellous at voices. Her soulful Amy Winehouse and mockney Lily Allen are pitch perfect. But Shirley Bassey and Lulu haven’t been cutting edge this century, Marlene Dietrich somewhat longer.
A number of laughs rely on basic juxtaposition. It will always be fun to hear Julie Andrews doing Beyoncé lyrics, or a sexy singer morphing into an unlusty Theresa May. Robinson is impressively gifted, just oddly anachronistic. Retro, but retro that tickles the funny bone.
Until Saturday (020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com)
