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.
Reader Reviews
Get Broadway News on WhatsApp
Receive the latest updates, breaking news, and exclusive coverage from Broadway directly in WhatsApp.
|
Elvis in Chaos Lime Studio at Greenside @ George Street (8/07-8/15) |
|
Glob Underbelly (8/05-8/30) |
|
Reparations Pleasance Courtyard (Above) (8/05-8/30) |
|
The Listies: 110% Ready Assembly (Studio One) (8/05-8/16) |
|
Suitcase Show Assembly Roxy (8/05-8/30) |
|
The List Festival Awards W Edinburgh (8/28-8/28) |
|
One Man Poe: The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum Greenside Venue @ Riddles Court (Willow Studio) – Venue 16 - 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PG (8/08-8/28) |
|
Black Blues Brothers: Let's Twist Again! Underbelly (8/05-8/31) |
|
Parkies theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall (8/07-8/29) |
|
Concerts of the Future Summerhall (Lobby) (8/06-8/30) |