As an online persona, Sez is disarming, honest and somewhat taboo. Her topics, however, never seem as taboo to her. “It’s so wild that people think I’m being political – like incels. I’ve received messages from men who are having some kind of crisis because women take shits and have periods. Talking about something like that to me isn’t crazy. In my friend group it’s not a big deal. The show is giving the energy that I don’t care – comedy is in such a weird place right now but I’m so excited for young comedians who are challenging these basic ideas. I thought we covered hating women in the 90s.”
Being an undiagnosed neurodivergent kid in school meant Sez had to form ways of coping. “I was weird because I was trying to distract people. I was embarrassed that I didn’t get it, but they thought I was trying to be funny or to be disruptive.” But self-reflectively, that seemed the norm to her. “In primary school I was very odd and weird – I didn’t think I was [at the time] but looking back I see it was weird.
“I come from an Irish and Scottish family, so lots of shouting. I’ve always been that person who is quiet for most of the conversation and then I’ll say something ridiculous and walk off, but I didn’t realise I was doing it. I get it from my Irish grandpa – we’re weirdly connected in a positive toxic masculinity way – he gave me tools to handle the comedy scene.”
Her musical comedy is taken from her life, but is also a reflection of the ongoing worldly trauma that Gen Z has had to grow and evolve within. “Every week is a fucking realisation of a bare minimum life skill. The show started as a musical comedy take on kinda-young-but-not-really, but I’m using ‘keeps me young’ as an angry statement because you can’t give your full opinion since the world is a bit cooked.
“It’s hard trying to write among wars and the constant complaining and trying to figure out what’s toxic. This show is just me grappling with the contradictions of everything. It’s me being like ‘What the actual fuck is going on, what are we meant to do?’ Existing is traumatic so everything we do is a trauma response. I’m probably going to exhaust myself with this long-form menty-b.”
In building the show, Sez headed to open mic comedy gigs weekly to trial her content. She’s also brought Tom Ballard in as her director for this show. “Sometimes I hate doing gigs constantly but I can see how well it’s worked for my work. I try to get feedback from very different people for comedy and for life. If you ask enough opinions the answer is generally in the middle.
“My comedy has affected me deeply in a really hectic way and also in such a beautiful and amazing way by connecting to people. If comedians seem kinda hectic it’s a reflection of the vibe. We’re trying to reflect what you’re thinking.”
Sez – Keeps Me Young, Rhino Room, until 9 March