Adelaide Fringe

Good Godley! – Adelaide Fringe 2011

Presented by Janey Godley
Reviewed Saturday 5 March 2011

http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au
http://www.janeygodley.com

Venue: David Spence Room, Adelaide Town Hall, 128 King Willam St, Adelaide
Season: 6-13 Mar at 9.00pm
Tickets: $20.00/$17.00
Duration: 60 mins
Bookings: FringeTix 1300 FRINGE (374 643) or http://www.adelaidefringe.com.au

Multi-award-winning Scottish comedienne Janey Godley erupts onto stage in her side-splitting Australian debut.

She’s has had an extraordinary life and it’s her autobiography that forms the basis of this fabulous, scandalous stand up comedy. Her brutal honesty is a credit to her courage. Her ability to make us laugh at her horrors is a credit to her genius.

The subject matter isn’t always comfortable: abused as a child; her mother murdered, and married into a gangster family, but Godley has come out on top in every way.

This is comedy gold, making light of her dark history without ever making light of the central issues themselves. It’s a clever tightrope she walks but she never crosses the line to bad taste.

She greets her audience on arrival, already cursing like a trooper, but there’s a sparkle in her eye that immediately wins you over as she bosses you into your seat. Her honesty about her life demands respect, as does the obvious adoration she holds for her loved ones.

She tells stories of Sunday School and religion, growing up poor, crazy Scottish mothers and a husband with Asperger’s Syndrome. She takes a jibe at Adelaide’s penchant for Polites building signs and, being a publican herself, she can’t refrain from commenting about Adelaide’s drunken night life.

The sterility of most other comedians’ material doesn’t come close to the sharp, refreshing observations of Godley. She’s lived a life like no other and if laughter is the best medicine, she’s found the perfect therapy.

Forget the group hug and sign up to being told how it is.

Reviewed by Rod Lewis, Performing Arts Critic, Glam Adelaide.

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