2011 Edinburgh Fringe

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Everyone knows looks can be deceiving, but it's still tricky to correlate Diane Spencer's 'Timotei ad-looks' with the adults-only content tumbling out of her mouth. Clever, engaging and tongue-in-bum cheek, her second Edinburgh solo show, All-Pervading Madness, is the story of how Diane got blood down her front and couldn't get home. There are car-jacking ferrets and unhelpful train passengers, mad men and sausages, moments that will make you laugh and others that will make you screw your face up in disgust - and laugh.

The equivalent of a mucky Jackanory, Diane's expert storytelling engages the audience as she weaves in hilarious details and goes off on seemingly ridiculous tangents. She's honed her skills in previous one-woman shows Lost In The Mouth Specific (2010) and TamPomPom (2009, New Zealand International Comedy Festival), and she's been receiving plaudits ever since she started out in 2006.

Hacking her way through the boundaries of good taste with a comedy machete, Diane approaches her comedy with the same do-or-die mentality that got her into stand-up. Having decided she wanted to know whether she was funny to people other than friends (she is), Diane quit a well-paid full-time job and took to the New Zealand stand-up circuit.

Diane has performed at festivals in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia, including this year's prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival. She's already recorded two DVDs: last year's Lost In The Mouth Specific and 2009's recording of her solo show TamPomPom, rebranded Wit, Charm And Filth. Wit, charm and filth are qualities Diane has in spades. Striking looking and strikingly funny, she's a definite one to watch.