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Su Mi: Thismotherphucker comedy review – A varied box of tricks

Brashness abounds from this queer clown who’s brimming with creative zest 

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Su Mi: Thismotherphucker comedy review – A varied box of tricks

Once seen, never forgotten. The elaborately costumed Su Mi is a cartoonish but sexualised clown, whose avowed motherfucking energy is boisterously directed towards the negligible threat of shagging your mum and carving out a space for their own representation. A queer British-Malaysian performer, Su Mi is channelling some overt adolescent issues, an aspect of the show which is increasingly voiced as their initially loud, intimidating presence and audience interaction settles down. 

While only sporadically amusing and somewhat discordant, this hour is a varied box of tricks and costume changes, incorporating sometimes baffling musical numbers and countless props, with endless creative applications of the latter in ingenious ways. Despite being brash and bawdy, Su Mi has spilled their guts by the end, the vulnerability they evince apparent in the communal spirit that is ultimately forged with their crowd. From wildly expressive to intimately introspective, this is a diverting and finally feelgood hour. 

Su Mi: Thismotherphucker, Underbelly Cowgate, until 24 August, 6.40pm.

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