“Her honesty is palpable, and it’s this raw openness that makes her performance so compelling”
BY IONE GILDROY, IMAGE BY LEE JAMESON
Catherine McCafferty: Not (That) Bad is a darkly humorous journey through trauma, delivered with a mix of honesty, wit, and unfiltered candour that leaves a lasting impact. From the moment she steps on stage, Catherine opens with a bang—quite literally—with “trauma” being the thread that ties together her performance. Her show is cleverly constructed, with anecdotes strung together on pieces of paper behind her, each seemingly innocent or comedic title revealing a deeper experience beneath.
As the show progresses, Catherine grows more confident, and you can feel her gaining momentum as she delves into the more serious aspects of her past. Her ability to mix humour with heavy topics like death, addiction, and sexual violence is where she truly shines. These darker themes allow her to showcase her skills as a storyteller, blending self-deprecating grace with a refusal to take herself too seriously. Her honesty is palpable, and it’s this raw openness that makes her performance so compelling.
The variety in Catherine’s show keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. She seamlessly shifts between sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek humour, and thoughtful introspection, creating a dynamic and varied experience. The use of props, particularly the string of papers that serve as both literal and metaphorical pages of her life, adds a unique and personal touch that really adds to the overall narrative.
By the end of the hour, Catherine has taken the audience on a journey filled with twists, turns, and moments of poignant reflection. Her skill as a performer, combined with her likeability, makes this show more than just a comedy set – it’s a shared experience. If you’re up for a bit of trauma bonding with a side of laughter, Catherine McCafferty: Not (That) Bad show is a must-see at the Fringe.
Catherine McCafferty: Not (That) Bad is at Just the Tonic at the Mash House until 25 August at 3.30 pm
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