Maltesers, Hen Dos, and Other Comedy Gems with Lindsey Santoro
Lindsey Santoro, a brummy comic with a penchant for pink, not just in her hair but in her unapologetically vibrant stage presence, recently brought her show to Soho with a bang that could only be described as hilariously unrefined.
Her “Pink Tinge” is not your grandmother’s comedy show—unless your grandmother likes to shout about her bumhole for 55 minutes, that is. Santoro, who’s quickly becoming the queen of the West Midlands comedy scene, has a resume that reads like a comedian’s dream. With nominations and awards including the Biggest Award in Comedy at Edinburgh 2023 and a spot as a finalist in the 2021 British Comedian of the Year competition, it’s no surprise her shows sell out faster than you can say, “Alright, bab?”
“Pink Tinge” is a delightful romp through the absurdities of Santoro’s life, from the ridiculous to the downright vulgar, but always with a heart of gold. She’s crude, yes, but also incredibly humble and quick-witted. Imagine a mash-up of Peter Kay, Sarah Millican, and John Bishop, but with a unique brummy flair that’s all her own.
The show doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. There’s no dark twist or profound message here – just an hour of escapism filled with stories that range from smear tests and motherhood to a particularly graphic Magic Mike hen-do experience. Whether she’s recounting the time she mistook a Malteser for a health scare or her adventures in rock climbing with a friend who’s as likely to have eyelashes on her car as she is to go climbing, it’s anecdotal comedy at its finest.
Critics and audiences alike can’t get enough of her. Theatre Weekly calls it “brilliantly impish, saucy storytelling,” while Joe Lycett himself has dubbed her “one of the most naturally hysterical and gifted comedians in recent memory.” And with recent appearances ranging from Channel 4’s “The Joy of Missing Out” to supporting Joe Lycett on tour, Santoro’s star is only rising.
In “Pink Tinge,” Santoro invites the audience into her world with a blend of self-deprecation and sheer likability that’s as refreshing as it is riotous.
Going to Santoro’s “Pink Tinge” is a little bit like catching up with an old friend over coffee—albeit a friend who’s unafraid to overshare.
25-27 January, Soho Theatre
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.
