Susie McCabe’s comedy has a warmth and generosity of spirit that makes it hard to dislike her. She is often the butt of the joke, whilst never losing the defiant spirit that makes her easy to root for. This new show recounts her experiences leading up to and following a health scare last year. There is an extra poignancy, even if some moments feel strained or dulled by sticking to one life event.
For the intro, McCabe asks where audiences are from, riffing on the answers. It’s the kind of thing that could feel terribly cliched, but McCabe’s energy manages to keep it afloat. For the rest of the show, she mainly sticks to explaining her experiences, which are sometimes lengthy and not sharp enough. For instance, an extended sequence at the breakfast buffet is a funny idea stretched beyond its welcome.
There is a strong sense of place, whether that’s a hospital, garage or hotel, all of which are populated with amusing characters. However, it feels sometimes like there is a lot of buildup for not much pay off. At one point, we meet some colourful patients in the hospital, who go on to only get a further passing mention. These kinds of moments are frustrating, and make this a mostly successful hour of easy observational comedy, but one that could do with a little more ambition and edge.
Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour, Assembly George Square, until 24 Aug (not 12), 8.35pm