CV

Sarah Kendall: Persona
Live Review
Melbourne International Comedy Festival

But don’t let your heart sink at the though of another comic talking about their child; for once Kendall’s dispatched a functional routine about the strains of taking her terrible toddler on a long-haul flight, she has on her mind the loftier thoughts of what sort of world her daughter will grow up in.

She’s no prude, but is concerned by the encroachment of the sexual into the mainstream – from R&B videos, to pole dancing being considered an empowering way of exercising. This was all brought into focus when she read her daughter the Ugly Duckling, with its dubious moral that being pretty is the solution to all that teasing.

So, yes, this is a show about sexual politics, but Kendall is no fervent tub-thumper, but an astute observational comic with an intelligent point of view. All her anecdotes, from her humiliation at the hands of casting directors wanting to fill demeaning roles to the inappropriately bawdy banter of a London greengrocer, stay true to the theme while being made irresistibly funny by Kendall’s sarcastic exaggeration.

She has a keen eye for the absurdity of these situations, which she highlights by reimagining them from another angle – such as a new rap video which turns the misogynist tables on the men involved, or, her slightly theatrical finale, a sequel to the Ugly Duckling which imagines the seedy, vacuous world our eponymous hero finds herself in now she’s a swan. This could do with a bit of editing, but it builds the laughs and ties up all the themes.

Kendall’s a slick, entertaining performer with firm opinions and an eye for the ridiculous – and that has to make for a winning ticket.

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Very funny, very very funny and I'm a bit in love. Oh to have such a great chick in one's life.

Alex ex-pat, July 2009

Saw her on Thursday at the Hat Factory, Luton. Was a bizarre night but very funny. She made a point of speaking to every single person and at one point hugged someone too!

Josie, November 2007

Very funny, very wacky, very Sarah.

Michael Monkhouse, September 2007

Nice to see genuinely new material, with a quirky twist, that is well delivered.Go Aussie.

Mike, April 2007

Sarah is an accomplished act, but for someone with so much media attention, she probably should be stronger. Her ability, or perhaps willingness, to banter with the audience or improvise seems scarce. I have seen her a number of times, and not only has she used the same set each time (no crime in itself), but even her supposed 'adlibs' are carefully prerehearsed and faithfully wheeled out, whether the audience enjoy them or not. Her material is enjoyable but not particularly stellar, something of a jumble sale of bits and pieces. It is only her energy, her bizarre onstage persona and her facial expressions which make her a distinctive performer. See her before she gets any more expensive.

Ted, February 2007

There aren't many female comics out there that can deliver solid sets. Kendall can and she does it in spades. Hilarious, down to earth, brilliant stuff.

Rich Dudley, September 2006

Absolutely hilarious. I almost fell off my chair...

Fatboy, November 2005

Sharp, funny, well acted and the fast forward recap was absolutely cracking.

[Anon], November 2005

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