The High Low Experience

Location: Barbican Centre

Date: Tuesday 8th October

Price: £25

Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes, creators and co-hosts of ‘The High Low’, hosted a live experience of their extremely popular podcast on Tuesday 8th October. This live show was the first in their tour that will take them across the UK and Ireland. The Barbican Centre on this rainy night in question could only be described as a sea of wine-holding, maxi-dress-wearing women as far as the eye could see. Not forgetting – as Dolly pointed out – the odd token boyfriend or male friend sparsely dotted about. 

The ‘Live Experience’ took its audience through a series of segments, largely and most enjoyably were the readings from the duo’s favourite books. The audience listened to an eclectic and interesting mix of 1960s self-help books – including a corker from Jilly Cooper – an excerpt from Rod Stewart’s autobiography, as well as the works of Alain de Botton, Sylvia Plath, David Sedaris and an emotive poem from John Betjeman. We also heard personal stories sent in from listeners, ranging from moving and emotional to funny and bizarre – and they nonetheless added a personal touch to the evening. 

To round up, Dolly and Pandora decided to take a look back through the archives of The High Low for some of their favourite news stories. Including the tale of a bridesmaid who was given permission by the bride – also her sister – to wear an inflatable dinosaur costume to the wedding, as she wanted to get an outfit that she would actually wear more than once. Google it.

 The High Low podcast without a doubt includes Dolly and Pandora’s ad-lib musings on life, yet their live show allowed them the freedom to freestyle without any time constraints or the added pressure of being recorded – essentially, it was a glorious two hours of unedited Dolly and Pandora.

Often during the weekly podcast, letters or emails from listeners will be read out, and on occasion these letters contain outright and at times hugely unforgiving, criticisms of their ideas or language choice. What is most admirable is that these differing opinions are voiced openly raised, apologised for and learnt from. This sentiment, of not only listening to their audience’s opinions, but incorporating them into the very fabric of the show, was reflected in their live show, as letters, stories and questions from the audience featured heavily.

#FLODown: These are two of the most thoughtful, well-read and well-meaning women that you could encounter online right now, and we adored this live experience. 

Location:

Barbican Centre, Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

Nearest Station:

Moorgate Tube Station

Words by Mollie Kate Cohen