Chloe Radcliffe has cheated in almost every relationship she has been in, and it’s a trend she can’t seem to kick to the curb. Cheat explores both the lighthearted and the murky waters of her romantic relationships as she learns to discover her own voice.
It is clear that Radcliffe is a seasoned comedian
Radcliffe’s stage presence is clear from the offset as she openly discusses some of her sexual encounters, the content of which is priceless. She is confident and strident, and her naturalism immediately draws the audience in, eagerly awaiting the next tale. Radcliffe comically shares her experiences growing up with an alternative mother (her biggest cheerleader) and being bullied for her appearance. Her material on childhood allows us to gain a further insight into who she is, proving that she is far more than what the label ‘cheat’ suggests.
Radcliffe is incredibly self aware, and importantly stresses that she does not advocate for cheating on one’s partner. Her use of irony and sarcasm allow us to laugh at the deception involved in affairs and infidelity whilst simultaneously forcing us to confront our own relationship misdemeanours. She mocks the lies we tell ourselves in order to please others and despite the fact that cheating is so frowned upon, her material is incredibly relatable.
It is clear that Radcliffe is a seasoned comedian. She weaves in moments of reflection with ease, highlighting how addictive love can be. It is common knowledge that relationships in our childhoods directly inform the ones we build as adults, and Radcliffe draws from this idea as she considers her own journey to finding the right relationship for her. Despite promising against it, the structuring of the show makes her moral stance towards cheating faintly ambiguous. This could be because of the greater emphasis on story-telling than on ethical reflection. Despite this, Cheat does close with a touching message of hope that feels cathartic. Radcliffe’s advocation for more communication and honesty might be just what we need.
