Amanda Knox's Edinburgh Fringe show, titled "Cartwheel," has received a spectrum of reviews, with many critics acknowledging its sincerity and personal reflection while questioning its classification as stand-up comedy.
The show, which runs for 11 days at the Gilded Balloon Teviot, has been described by reviewers as a respectful attempt by Knox to reclaim her narrative. The title "Cartwheel" refers to a story that circulated after the death of her British roommate, Meredith Kercher, claiming Knox performed cartwheels at a police station. Knox herself has stated she is using the show to explore trauma and motherhood, telling the BBC she hopes audiences will recognize the "deep heart and sensitivity" she brings to her personal story.
Reviewers from The Guardian and Broadway World noted that those expecting insensitive remarks about Kercher would be mistaken. Instead, "Cartwheel" is characterized as a piece about how Knox might one day explain her past to her daughter. Broadway World awarded the show three stars, emphasizing that it is not "jokes about murder" but rather a personal exploration.
However, the billing of the show as stand-up comedy has been a point of contention. The Times suggested Knox would benefit from a director, describing "Cartwheel" as "more of a one-woman show than stand-up." Similarly, The Daily Telegraph indicated that a "decent director" was needed, noting the performance was delivered with "too much actorly poise, and no sense whatsoever for comic timing."
These reviews suggest a show rooted in personal reflection rather than conventional comedic structure, with some outlets deeming the material "just not very funny."
Meredith Kercher's sister, Stephanie, has expressed concerns that the show risks "normalising and trivialising" violence against women, and her sister specifically. Prior to the show's launch, a petition organized by a friend of Meredith Kercher garnered nearly 5,000 signatures, arguing the show disrespects her memory. Knox has previously written two books about her imprisonment and served as an executive producer on a biographical drama about her case.