Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes, Pleasance Courtyard Review
Em Humble's debut character comedy show sets out to retell the legend of King Arthur with the confidence of someone who, by her own cheerful admission, has not read the legend of King Arthur. What follows is a surreal parade of Arthurian B-listers - a horse, a future teller, a Dickensian urchin several centuries off course - presided over by a brilliantly crafted talking book who becomes increasingly exasperated at the liberties taken with its source material.
A gloriously officious jobsworth from the Lake Maintenance Department is the strongest of these creations, but tellingly, the biggest laughs of the night came whenever Humble broke character and spoke to us as herself. She's a naturally funny, winning presence, and it’s incredibly easy to root for her. A few characters remain sketches of sketches; little rat, for one, deserves far more than his fleeting cameo. The hand-crayoned animations covering the scene changes, meanwhile, are properly mesmerising, and proof of the immense care poured into this world.
Structurally, the hour needs tightening slightly. Bits outstay their welcome, stretching good ideas past their best laugh. The show also leans on soliciting its own momentum - we're often asked whether we want to know what happens next, or whether a character should do something, and while the full house in Pleasance Below dutifully chorused "yes," the enthusiasm, in these moments in particular, felt rather requested instead of earned.
And yet the ending lands with real sweetness. Beneath the goblins and bureaucracy is a heartfelt show about distraction and finishing what you started - possibly fitting for a show that’s not quite yet at its final form. A solid debut with a lovely heart; give it a sharper sword, and it will definitely claim a throne.
Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes runs at Pleasance Courtyard (Below) at 16:20 until 30 August
★★★
Written by Ellora for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.
