Empowering, Thought Provoking and Wonderfully Sharp: Rosie Holt: The Illegal Aliens Have Landed! Review | Zoe Sievwright

Image credit: Karla Gowlett

‍★★★‍★★

Sitting in the Pleasance Courtyard for Rosie Holt’s The Illegal Aliens Have Landed!, I was struck by how effortlessly she bridges the gap between the messiness of UK politics and what it actually feels like to be a woman today. Running daily at 18:30 through August 30th, this 60-minute set takes the internet clips we’ve all laughed at - those painfully accurate parodies of doddering politicians, spin doctors, and pundits talking in circles - and breathes real, vibrant life into them on stage. Seeing her live gives the material a personal depth and energy that a phone screen just can't match.

The genius of Holt’s performance lies in how accessible she makes her critique. She has an incredible knack for taking the frustrating doublespeak we hear on the news every evening and turning it into something that genuinely makes you laugh out loud. You find yourself giggling at the sheer absurdity of the political jargon, but behind every joke is a point that cuts straight to the bone. It never feels like she’s lecturing the room; instead, it feels like sharing a massive sigh of relief with a crowd of people who are just as exhausted by the state of things as you are.

What hit me hardest though was the underlying emotional core of the show. Beneath the razor-sharp political jabs lies a fierce, empowering message about womanhood. Holt unflinchingly shines a spotlight on the unique scrutiny, online noise, and systemic double standards that women face every day. Watching her take those heavy, often disheartening struggles and turn them into fuel for cathartic comedy is surprisingly moving. It feels like a genuine celebration of resilience, leaving the women in the audience feeling seen, validated, and genuinely empowered.

Ultimately, this isn't just another stand-up routine mocking the news cycle. It’s an urgent, brilliant piece of theatre that balances high-energy humour with real heart. Rosie Holt proves that comedy can be a powerful tool for truth, giving us a space to laugh at the ridiculousness of our world while holding onto the hope that we can change it. Equal parts empowering, touching, it’s a brilliant show that stays with you long after the applause dies down.

Rosie Holt: The Illegal Aliens Have Landed will be performed at Pleasance 2 - Pleasance Courtyard until 30 August (not 19, 24) as part of Edinburgh Fringe.

By Zoe Sievwright