This year’s fringe catalogue has seen a foray of important shows. Important for their social comments, their ability to create a message and some are made worthwhile through their sheer talent. Aptly opening on valentine’s day, Can I Get An Amen, is possibly the most important show this fringe calendar.

Kaitlyn Rogers is the comedian, actor and all round ~kween~ that is the creator of Can I get an Amen. An all-singing, goon-drinking sass extravaganza that encourages anyone and everyone to release their inner sass. An endearing performer that wore her heart on her sleeve, Rogers, acting as country girl and “preacher of the sass” Cecile, pleasantly surprised her full house on opening night.

Armed with a goon bag and a picture of her father, Dave Hughes*, Rogers opened with an hilarious song, while referencing her religious superior, whoopee Goldberg. Not everyone necessarily got all the pop culture references that one could call “camp” or maybe even ‘girly”, but it was definitely hard to resist the charms of an incredibly gifted comedian in a leopard print cat suit. Highlights of the night included 4 very hesitant good sports who were plucked to re-enact an extra ~sassy~ dance number with our wonderful host. Also, goon was provided – need I say more.

Towards the end of the extremely light and shameless set, Rogers splashed a realist cup of water in everyone’s faces on the ever prominent topic of female inequality. Although we spent an hour giggling over being empowered humans, it became known quite quickly that this was a seriously important show. Explaining to us her past abusive relationship and how she was made to feel almost inadequate in her “sermon” business, the larger than life character in front of us rapidly became very human. By the end of the show, our laughter became happy tears and as rogers thanked the audience, it was as if we were the ones that needed to say thanks.

If there’s one show you need to see this fringe, go see this one. You’ll be extraordinarily entertained and incredibly touched. Embrace your sass!

5/5 stars for can I get an Amen!

*most definitely is not her actual dad