If you are tired of slick one-liners, political satire and jokes about bad sex then spend this Comedy Festival at La Mama and, in particular, spend some time with Nicola Gunn in An Unfortunate Woman. An extraordinary and poignant physical performance will be your reward.

This is a solo show with a cast of many characters including a lively childlike clerk, a boring and boorish psychiatrist, and an American nymphomaniac. Although a little confusing at the beginning, it is well worth the wait when in the end all the threads come together. Besides, any confusion is outweighed by the joy of watching the various scenes and tableaux being set out before us.

The show manages to combine Gunn’s considerable physical and mime skills, facial expressions and vocal work with charming music and lighting (deftly executed by Gwendolyna Holmberg Gilchrist and Brydie Smith). It was on occasion a little quaint for my liking, and a bit more facial openness from Gunn towards the audience would have been welcome, as I wanted to connect with the performer more. Plus, a minor criticism and a personal idiosyncrasy of mine: please, Ms Gunn, come back for a bow.

Gunn is a strong performer who delivers a humorous and often haunting portrayal of people trying to escape the reality of their lives in vastly different ways and with varying degrees of success. A very welcome piece of theatre outside of the usual fare.