Île

Booked this as I had a gap where another show got cancelled and I'm so glad it did - the most incredible physical acting I've ever seen close up, I would happily pay to see a show made up entirely of the physical poetry that bookended this piece. Very engaging performer with some great stories, hope she returns to the Fringe soon.

WOW WOW WOW. I work at the pleasance and so I’ve seen many shows. This one was by far my favourite. A truly spectacular performance ❤️

This show is a master class in performance Art where every nuance and beat of the performance is directed and subtly yet perfectly honed to illicit just the right reactions she welcomes us into her life and her soul like a coquettish FairY SPRITE and uses her voice and body to create a myriad of characters conducting herself and the audience on an internal and geographic journey with the precision of a conductor leading a symphony orchestra it was a joy to inhabit her World.The passion and power of her writing perfectl.y copmplimented her astonishing talent.
As a professional producer/ Director Ive been coming to the fringe for over 30 years and seen shows all over the World.
Two words sum up Sophies show.
REMARKABLE and EXCEPTIONAL

Five stars. Well crafted, performed. Mix of energy and very dynamic. Intimate. Great!

Brilliantly written and performed. Go and see it!

Île (****)
This light show has a young woman choosing to spend her gap year at her mother’s small homeland island in Mauritius to try to escape her battles with her mom, and relax. The personable girl enjoys imitating the various animals of the island, and rejoices in learning about her inbred relatives and their odd ways. From plucking roadkill to having two-week old corpses in family photos her stories are certainly fun to hear.


This is the 47th most enjoyable of the 184 shows I have seen so far at the Fringe this year. I hope to see almost 200. You may see my other three-sentence reviews, in order from most enjoyable to worst, at my non-commercial website: https://fringefan.com/

Fantastic , bawdy , hilarious pedal - to - the - floor solo show , with superb audience rapport. Highly recommended , although you will not look at a lava lamp in the same way again, ever.

Powerful, brilliant physical theater, performance story telling. Heart felt, funny, relatable. Must see! Under appreciated it’s so good!!

A beautifully crafted show combining Sophie’s own experience with the history of Mauritius where her wider family lives. Funny, tender and imaginative, it’s one of our top shows from the 50 we have seen this year. A must see show - hope Ile will tour after the Fringe. Loved it !

A really enjoyable, personal piece of writing performed with great energy yet tenderness. Some witty lines and memorable characters, and a good is night into an island that many will only know as a holiday destination. Recommended!

This show was recommended to me by a friend who had been at the fringe a few days before us.
Well, thank you so much to that friend - this one woman show, half monologue, half physical theatre, was a joy. Of the 25 shows I saw at the Fringe, this was top of the heap. I didn’t want it to end. It explores her gloriously dysfunctional family in South Africa and her roots in The Mauritius. Go see it, you’ll be glad you did. It’s a gem.

Sophie was my last show of the fringe and a perfect ending to my weekend.
It had everything I look for in a show, great acting, beautiful moving and personal story which helps you connect with another culture and life.
She told us to send everyone with mommy issues to the show and I would highly recommend you go if you have those. But also if you don't and just enjoy perfect physical comedy, emotional story telling and great comedic timing and delivery.

We absolutely loved this show. Such a powerful, moving, emotional and at times, laugh out loud, show. Out of all the shows we saw over 3 days, and there were a lot, this was our favourite. Go see it.

A brilliant show, funny yet moving, a hilarious tale and observations of belonging and family relationships, a compelling strong physical performance, we loved it.

Sophie's performance was masterful, moving, exhilarating and hilarious. Her wit was sharp, the movement beautiful, and her storytelling both endearing and engaging. This was my highlight of a busy fringe schedule. The standing ovation was thoroughly deserved. Book now. I hope this piece, artist and creative team gets the recognition they deserve. Colin

Ile is a tour de force. Great script beautifully performed. A thoughtful and provocative exploration of daughters difficult relationship with her mother and her Mauritian heritage. Sophie Joans has star quality. She is a riveting performer able to shift effortlessly from humour to profundity to sadness on a dime. It deserves a huge audience.

I’ve never been as captivated in a story as i was watching Ile. Beautiful and touching themes run throughout, I could easily watch it again and would give this 5*.

Brilliant - definitely go and see!

Great funny and poetic show about Mauritius by a South African talented comedian. Loved the parallel between the lava under the island and the personalities of people. Went with my 14 years old daughter and all good, we laughed a lot!

Excellent one woman show. At first I thought it may need a warning 'may not be suitable for parents/mothers' but this was well performed and good fun all round.

5 star performance and lovely little show. Loved Sophie and her one woman show tracking her year living in her mothers homeland of Mauritius. Great story telling from a finely gifted actor who takes you on a journey so vivid you can almost feel the heat on your skin and the sand beneath your feet. One to watch.

Sophie is a very talented performer and didn’t miss a beat during her one hour show! She brings her story to life through amazing story telling, physical theatre and comedy. Engaging and a joy to watch!