The mother-daughter duo of Janey Godley and Ashley Storrie kicked off this show with a rather unusual bit of audience interaction. They called out to random members of the audience and pretended to know them. It worked. They disarmed the audience and managed to get them in the mood without them even realising it.
Opening the show for her mum, Storrie proves that the comedy gene can be inherited. Witty and intelligent, she pokes fun at her mum but manages to set herself apart with enough original material.
Godley’s routine itself is more of a comedic discussion than traditional stand-up. Instead Godley reflects on a world gone mad with censorship, where even the smallest comment can be blown out of proportion but actual attacks can pass by almost unnoticed.
In today’s world where the lines between public and private are increasingly blurred it can be hard to determine the impact of what you say. As Godley herself has experienced, off-the-cuff comments can have a greater impact than you ever intended or expected. Social media and specifically twitter have provided ways for people to express their opinions, in a totally faceless manner, no matter how aggressive or violent. Conversely, the law seems to be struggling to keep up with this. Threats of rape, violence and death are made with impunity. Except, as Godley point out, if you’re famous. The disparity between threats against those who are well known and threats made against those without the clout of fame are explored throughout the performance.
The thing about Godley’s show is that, though she is a fantastic comedian, you sometimes feel you shouldn’t be laughing. Godley is fantastic at flirting with the humour in censorship before flipping it round to show how un-funny much of it is. You are left with a knowledge of the ridiculousness of censorship but also the serious aspects that are slipping through the cracks.
Godley ends the show with a sign of solidarity. Reflecting on how unfairly skewed justice by social media is towards the famous, Godley offers her assistance if any of the audience is ever in trouble. She’s famous, she has famous friends and she’s willing to share. I can’t imagine anything better than having this woman on my side in a fight. Though everyone has a right to their opinions, Godley emphasises that everyone has a responsibility to think before they mouth off. In her words ‘Just don’t be a c*nt’.
