At Knock2Bag

March 2010

More Liz Carr videos

Finalist in the Funny Women competition 2006 and the 2007 new act competitions run by the Laughing Horse and Hackney Empire (where she was runner-up)

Original Review:

That’s the philosophy behind Liz Carr’s comedy, as she stuns audiences with an opening volley of hard-hitting, sometimes uncomfortable, lines reclaiming all the taboo insults that might once have been levelled at her. It’s quite an assault for the ‘politically correct’ sensibilities of the modern comedy audiences, whose liberal instinct is to pussyfoot around such matters. The jokes, which often revolve around things she can’t do from her wheelchair – poledance, for instance – are hit and miss, and certainly suffer from the law of quickly diminishing returns, but they are more a statement of intent than anything else. Her best jokes are ace, but she needs stronger quality control.

Her stronger segments have a subtle political undercurrent, with unsaid – or sometimes downright blatant – digs at the way society and individuals deal with the disabled.

Frail in body, but not in spirit, Carr has Northern bluffness to her delivery; cheery on the surface but blunt and robust enough to stop a train. But she still hasn’t quite found her comic voice. She may be in a wheelchair, but that’s not enough of an angle – she still needs to figure out just what she’s saying from it.

As a case in point, her belief that repetition of the word ‘crip’ brings ever-increasing returns is flawed, especially when she shoehorns it into puns that just don’t work: Turning Tamagotchi into Cripagotchi being a case in point.

At the moment it’s a mix of easy jokes and shock tactics - especially as she heads into kneejerk ‘yuk’ territory with mention of her incontinence pads – with more mature material and personal anecdotes.

She’s at the crossroads where many a relative newcomer finds themselves – whether to go for the simplest laughs or try to say or do something different with their comedy. A couple more years, and I guess we’ll know.

She's a very funny lady. When I saw her the whole audience loved it, as well as appearing very interested in what she had to say. She's a marvel.

Kevin Truss, October 2009

Saw her in Unnatural Comedy Selection. Flat and repetitive, she relied on the same material about her diability over and over again. The audience looked bored and embarrassed.

Graham Demarko, August 2007

She had our entire audience (over 70 people) laughing and clapping for over 15 minutes with excellent material and great delivery. Comes across as extremely professional. A very funny highly bookable act.

Hazel Humphreys, March 2007

Liz has such a great angle on comedy and delivers her material in such a slick and eye-opening way, you can't fail to be entertained!Liz was brilliant at the Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year show, where she came runner up - her material is both different and mainstream funny... brilliant!

Dan Ramsey, March 2007

I saw Liz Carr at the final of the comedy act of the year at Hackney Empire 2007, She was runner up but she delivered a blistering funny set that wowed the whole audience with her irreverant and original view of world of disabled people along with other very topical and current issues. This lady is very funny so do yourself a favour and get to see her fab act as soon as you can! Well done, Liz

John Smith, March 2007

This lady gives it all and her attitude to the world is great! She rocks

Katie Fraser, February 2007