The Oracle Has Spoken: Lara Ricote Is a Phenom

Image via Amy Hecht

★★★★★

Before Lara Ricote walks on stage, she is “introduced” over the loudspeaker by what sounds like Adam Sandler’s impression of a gremlin. It’s almost unintelligible, and it prompted one immediate thought in my mind: “Oh God, this show is not for me.” I couldn’t have been more wrong. There is something in Inkling for absolutely everyone. Ricote speaks from and to the humanity within us all, finding a connecting thread to each member of the audience with seamless ease. 

In a show that she bills as her “smartest and stupidest yet,” Ricote is not just at her best, but at the best of what comedy can be. It’s tight, delicately realised, and deeply thought through. Framing the show by the three maxims of the Oracle of Delphi: “Know thyself”, “Nothing in excess” and “Surety brings ruin,” Ricote discusses being hard of hearing, the recent end (she’s fine! she’s totally okay!) of her long-term relationship, and a rude little English man from a museum. 

Under Abby Wambaugh’s direction, Ricote turns this into a truly innovative and interrogative performance, moving with hilarity between blinding spotlights in front of a small painting of a boy (representing the museum), and each of the framed maxims as she colourfully illustrates her stories. Using the form with glee, she shouts to tech for “blackout!” between moves, and hops around on stage with real joy. It’s absolutely impossible not to join in the feeling. 

I won’t spoil it any more, because I’d really love you to go. It’s an absolute treat to discover someone so talented and so full of life, or as Ricote dubs herself: “naked baby!” See, that’s a reference I won’t explain, so you must go see Inkling. I cried, and maybe you will too. Now go! Stop dawdling! Take my five stars seriously and go buy a ticket!

Elena Cebulash