Juliette Burton: Defined

• Lauren McKay
• 18 August 2019

This article is from 2019

credit: Steve Ullathorne

Introspective hour about presenting your true self in the modern world

How would you define yourself in five words? That's the question Juliette Burton asks in Defined, as she comes to terms with the changes in her life over the past year, and her determination to re-evaluate herself. Burton makes no secret of her mental-health issues, and talks candidly about her experiences of being sectioned, and her various conditions. In the past, she's defined herself with labels such as 'anorexic' and 'obsessive compulsive'. Now, though, newly single and exploring the world of dating apps, she considers how she wants to present herself to the world.

Burton is an assured performer, with an easy-going charm and a confident storytelling style (aided by a little glitter and a glass of rosé). Her championing of mental health is to be admired, and although the show is rarely laugh-out-loud funny, there are some good gags and audience interaction that keeps the crowd engaged for this hour-long introspective. In the grand tradition of comedy as therapy, the show comes with a message: we don't belong in boxes. Despite trying to define herself, Burton comes to the conclusion that we're all undefinable, with some nice stories to illustrate the contradictions within all of our characters.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, until 25 Aug, 5.30pm, £10–£11 (£9–£10).