one4review | On 15, Aug 2019

Ms Smurthwaite returns for her 15^th Fringe with a vibrant show about ignoring the haters and embracing the ‘bitch’ epithet so many internet-people seem to think it’s okay to throw at her. As we’re taking our seats, we’re treated to a slide show of comments incorporating the word ‘bitch’ taken from Ms Smurthwaite’s YouTube contributions, and it is horrendous. There are threats of every variety, and comments which are incoherent vicious spluttering nastiness. Ms Smurthwaite is quite sanguine about them. But they do seem to fuel her passion for challenging injustice and inequality, even if she doesn’t bother to report them anymore.

And passion characterises this show. It may be preaching to a choir of the converted, but it’s also a general comforting and invigorating the troops, inspiring them to take up whatever cause it is that has them fired. Ms Smurthwaite is both figurehead and role model, and in an utterly fabulous dress.

She seeks to ‘bring stories to life’, and she certainly does that, with sparse gestures and fluent and intelligent recounting. As you’d expect from someone with her experience, Ms Smurthwaite is an excellent performer, utterly secure in her material, and very entertaining.

Reviewed by Laura

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth
19:40 (until 25th)