Her new show Mother was supposed to offer up an untraditional look at motherhood and ageing, but only a few moments delivered thoughtful or real insights into herself or any of the subject matter she drew on.
She discussed marriage equality, gun violence, men, women, menstruation and celebrity but her political agenda came off shallowly executed and at times a little dated. On the topic of gay marriage she expressed surprise that Julia Gillard, so “like Miranda from Sex and The City,” could be so conservative and close minded.
For me, Cho invoked more of a Samantha character delivering unnecessary articulations of sex, meant to shock but coming off tired and at times condescending. The images of sexuality she invoked could lead you to believe that every homosexual male is as caricatured as Stanford Blanch.
That said, few in the audience seemed to mind. Cho’s comic charisma carried her through and met with much enthusiasm. Like gay men dancing to Cher’s Believe, I guess. There were moments of genuine laughter and likability, but overall it relied too heavily on overused stereotypes and unoriginal social commentary. Maybe she ought to visit New Zealand and brush up on her notions of equality.
