Expectations: 2/5
Reality Rating: 4/5
Fidget Factor: 0.2
Face full of spots, chin smothered in ketchup and an unsettling feeling that the B.O on the bus belongs to you – Tamar Broadbent kicks off her show with a side splitting musical number, ‘Having an Ugly Day’. Warm and inviting, Broadbent gets the audience to tuck in tightly together for a front room feeling, wanting the space to feel like Wembley stadium when they sing together. Quoting her sister, ‘Did you know that when you go through a break-up you become 25% uglier?’ Broadbent shares her experience of a recent split and her current search for a companion.
Intelligently composed, this hour of musical comedy includes original songs, fresh, feminist stand up comedy and a dollop of audience participation – as expected within any stand-up routine. There’s no room for timid audiences in Broadbent’s presence, you may even be chosen to join her for a musical duo. Promoting a positive self-image, Broadbent identifies the awful, the grotesque and the ugly but leaves the audience boosted with confidence and the important reminder to love yourself first ringing in their ears.
Not for the faint hearted, Broadbent discusses dick breath, pre-winter pubic hair and an album of other brilliantly horrifying tales. Using idols such as Taylor Swift for inspiration, this is a feel good, down to earth, embracing performance.
The poster for Get Ugly does not convey just how funny and intelligent this production is going to be, or any indication of the fabulous musical comedy. Pleased this landed on Scatter’s radar through word of mouth, otherwise it was presumed to be a drunken solo rant.
Leave the ugly behind and get happy with Tamar Broadbent’s latest show.
