This Saturday sees the return to DINA of Smell the Coffee Comedy after a successful debut for the lunchtime stand-up show earlier this month.
The show features a special full Edinburgh Fringe preview of Abby Rolling’s show ‘Shit Lawyer’ based on true stories of her 30 years working in criminal defence.
Abby’s foray into stand-up began in 2019, borne out of a comedy creation originally written for television.
She said: “My first love is TV, and I wrote a pilot for Channel 4 called ‘Justice,’ set in the criminal justice system around the Magistrates Court where 96% of cases start and finish.
“The commissioner at the time loved it but unfortunately left C4, and the project was sadly shelved. I used the ideas and elements of that to come up with an hour-long stand-up show.”
Abby describes her show as being written for people who would not normally be interested in legal matters, but she’s keen to deliver the message that an effective, functioning criminal justice system is an insurance policy for everyone.
She explains: “I encourage the audience to think of criminal defence legal aid lawyers as nurses at the clap clinic. You wish we didn’t exist, but if you need one, you’re glad we do.”
Abby said: “Some very dark and funny humour can come from difficult situations. We’re facing a real crisis in the profession – after decades of cuts and underfunding, we’re losing criminal defence lawyers and justice is diluted.
“The show has real life stories about the escapades of clients and it’s an insight into the unique relationship they have with defence lawyers. By the end of the show, the audience end up really rooting for them and I hope they think it was an entertaining hour well spent.”
Abby’s show as part of Smell the Coffee Comedy is at DINA on Fitzalan Square on Saturday July 30 from 11am-2pm, with the bar open for food and drink. Jack Wilson (‘Guy’s got his game together’ – Nish Kumar) and Stan Skinny, founder of the comedy afternoon, are both supporting.
Tickets are priced at £4 and are available at https://bit.ly/ShitLawyerDina
Abby’s Edinburgh Fringe shows are on at Just the Tonic’s Nucleus venue, in the Sub-Atomic room, 138-140 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9RR. The show time is 5.50pm daily from Thursday 4 August – Sunday 28 August (except Monday 15 August).