She is a sharp, clever, ascerbic, typical New Yorker and yet the show was not typical. Apparently cabaret, apparently stand up comedy in presentation but oh so much more serious in the actual content. One gets the impression that she could be a Uni lecturer in philosophy/sociology/psychology but with the wit to convey ideas with great delivery. Sounds a bit dry? Well that's what is clever.
She wants to make the audience think, she challenges them to do so. At 65 (she doesn't look it) she is no spring chicken - she grew up in the 60s as a rebel, in with the crowd in New York that included Andy Warhol, Quentin Crisp and many other badly behaved people - she doesn't mourn her youth but she challenges the youngest generation to wake themselves out of a sleep of saccharin security. She says that they have been submerged into a world of branding, logos, franchises, marketed lifestyles where history is irrelevant and vintage is cool.
Of course, she puts this all so much better than me, accompanied by bizarre little dance routines, lighting and musical interventions. She remembers to mention everyone that has helped top produce the show and invites the audience to contact her personally, giving out her email address. She is touching and human and reminds us about how we can be responsible for ourselves.
There is one more opportunity to see her in the Speigeltent tonight at 10pm. The show lasts just over an hour - you can still be in bed by 11.30 - or maybe after listening to her, you will go out and shake up the town!
Before that I was at Live Art Club at Norwich Arts Centre with Made in China and their show Tonight I am Gonna be the New Me. It was a couple thing, but very different. Somewhat bizarre. Female performer in an open box stage, wind fan, red light, minimal props, strange epileptic dance moves, conversation addressing the audience and non-cooperative partner Tim in the audience back row. Tragedy at the end. Not going to pretend I really understood it but then it probably wasn't anymore clever than it seemed. It was a different form of story-telling and was well executed. That's what live art gives us, a new way of looking at things. There is more at Norwich Arts Centre this week so explore the programme and go and see something different. It is Luke Wright's show tonight which is most likely sold out. This programme is very popular so try something different while you have this chance. www.norwichartscentre.co.uk
BTW here's a link to Penny Arcade's website pennyarcade.tv/biography