EDINBURGH 2016 - Review: SOOZ KEMPNER QUEEN, Underbelly, 11 August
Sooz Kempner's entire life has been soundtracked by Queen - from belting out "Killer Queen" at age four during family parties to auditioning three times for the West End show We Will Rock You and more.
Queen is a pretty fast-paced show with a lot of quick jokes. Some of them land, some of them don't. Her story is interesting and starts with the separation of her parents after her dad sent her mum a 7,500-word email assassination of Sooz's character. At age 31, she's working full time in a legal office and living with her mum to try and save money to pursue her comedy career.
There are a few Queen songs during the performance and some of her own, inspired by being trolled on Twitter and added on Facebook by a Facebook Creep. After having a request ignored by Jim'll Fix It when she was seven, she surmises that Saville "just didn't fancy her", which is a little uncomfortable.
Kempner's humour is very self-deprecating, which works for some of the show and just feels a bit awkward for the rest. There are some laughs to be had and she's a capable performer, but a lot of her routine comes off as quite bitter as she makes cracks about failed auditions and her brother's successful comedy career.
Sooz Kempner: Queen runs at Underbelly until 29 August.
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