Who: Lauren Pattison
Where: The Comedy Store, Manchester
Why:
Lauren Pattison marches onto stage with real purpose. Her sparkly disco skirt and no-bullshit boots are a fitting uniform, as she addresses the crowd with the urgency of a best friend eager to unload. Her very natural and chatty demeanour somehow shrinks a vast space to seem much more intimate for her slight but urgent presence.
A weekend crowd at Manchester's Comedy Store can be difficult to manage at the best of times, but Pattison is a superb storyteller and immediately folds the semi-pissed patrons into her hapless tales of working in retail, struggling with a long-distance relationship, navigating dating apps, and sicking into a Starbuck's cup.
Her wide eyes dart around the venue in conspiratorial style, as her self-deprecating stories become more animated. Although she jokes about looking younger than she is, it is somewhat annoying to be reminded she's only just approaching 24. Already so slick and accomplished, it is exciting to see where her talent and work ethic takes her.
As part of her set, Pattison bemoans the fact that she is often described as "cute, sweet and adorable", but as a comedian she uses this to her advantage. She rope-a-dopes you with her pop princess persona, and then winds you hard with some deliciously dark humour. With her twisted finale, she double-dares you not to wince in laughter.
Be in no doubt, Lauren Pattison is going places fast. She may seem like an 'adorable' young Geordie lass, but you get the sense she'd happily punch a horse if needs be.
We saw Lauren Pattison at the Comedy Store in Manchester. You can find out more about her future dates here. 
