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Bridget Christie: An Ungrateful Woman

After last year’s storm-causing, award-winning, activism-inspiring show, it was hard to see how Bridget Christie would be able to better last year’s set.

Christie’s comedy is incredibly important.

As she says at the opening of the show, “I was hoping my feminist comedy show wouldn’t be very successful so I could give up work and be supported by my husband”. It is this deadpan style that allows numerous and wide-ranging issues relating to 21st century gender politics to come into play: there is a brilliant section about the utter ridiculousness of blaming rape victims for the crime committed against them. It is Christie’s fabulous style of delivery which allows her to engage with such heavy topics whilst maintaining a degree of humour about them. As per the rules of the 2014 Fringe Festival, every comedian must mention the upcoming Referendum, and Christie follows the trend. She does, however, manage to liven it up by requesting a referendum on leaving “the patriarchal system”, a lovely way of drawing attention not only to the patriarchy itself but also undermining various trends in comedy.

The criticism that can be levelled at Christie is that it occasionally feels as if her set sometimes descends into a lecture. There are points where Christie feels the need to explain issues that are fairly well-known and understood; there is a slightly overlong explanation as to exactly what the gendered issues involved with advertising are. This is a very small grievance with what is otherwise a strong and consistent set.

Christie’s comedy is incredibly important: she manages to make issues from rape apologists to the implicit and rife sexism in advertising to FGM instantly accessible and reminds her audience of the importance in actually doing something to combat gender inequality. The close of the show sees a serious moment about her work to draw attention to the FGM crisis. It is testament to Christie’s talent that she is able to spend a significant amount of time on a serious issue in a comedy set and the audience will still listen to her. A Bic for Her was undoubtedly a hard act to follow, but An Ungrateful Woman is Christie’s excellent and essential return to the Fringe.

Reviews by Joanna Bowman

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Since you’re here…

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You can donate to the charity of your choice, but if you're looking for inspiration, there are three charities we really like.

Mama Biashara
Kate Copstick’s charity, Mama Biashara, works with the poorest and most marginalised people in Kenya. They give grants to set up small, sustainable businesses that bring financial independence and security. That five quid you spend on a large glass of House White? They can save someone’s life with that. And the money for a pair of Air Jordans? Will take four women and their fifteen children away from a man who is raping them and into a new life with a moneymaking business for Mum and happiness for the kids.
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Performances

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The Blurb

Why did people praise Michael Gove on 25 February 2014? What made Bridget lose control of her emotions at a casting for a yoghurt commercial? And which national newspaper genuinely mistook Bridget (from R4’s Bridget Christie Minds the Gap, Dilemma, Heresy, News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth, BBC’s HIGNFY, It’s Kevin and C4’s Cardinal Burns) for King Charles II? ‘One of the finest comedians around’ (Independent). ‘A superb stand-up with a powerful voice and something to say…a revelation’ ***** (Observer). ‘A beautiful balance between the personal, the public and the parodic’ **** (Times).
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