I've been aware of Cho for years but recently her star's begun
shining brighter in my mind. Not only did she pop up in my
favourite magazine this September (DIVA, you know that, right?) she
also made a great Kim Jong Il in my top TV import, 30 Rock. I've
just finished watching the box set for the second time.
Consecutively.
So I, like London, was buzzing last Saturday night. On my right
at the Leicester Square Theatre were at least two trans women who,
added to me, made it one of the most inclusive comedy audiences
I've been part of. To my left sat your typical white man in suit;
in front of him a rather innocent looking blonde. I kept an eye on
Blondie and, throughout the course of Cho's sex-filled set, her
shocked reactions proved to be almost as hilarious as the show.
Indeed, Cho doesn't waste time getting started, and she keeps
momentum throughout. Her control of the audience is tight yet
seemingly effortless; only once does she draw a mixed response from
the crowd, with a joke about epilepsy. It's almost a shame we all
so clearly adored of her: I'd have loved to see how she deals with
hecklers. Something tells me it'd be slutty.
The woman is, quite simply, a hoot. A hot hoot. Thank goodness
she's one of us. I actually thought my friend was going to have a
seizure during Cho's impersonations of Patti Labelle and Cyndi
Lauper. Even funnier when you know she probably practised that
distinctive New York squeak with the pop icon herself. Way to go,
Cho.
Of course there was the obligatory lampooning of American right
wingers such as Sarah Palin but, for all her political knowledge,
Cho is a woman who appreciates the comic value of bodily functions.
And I now appreciate what Cho sometimes does with her farts, which,
judging by the audience's laughter, is a trick we've all tried at
home…
Finishing with a rousing version of Eat Shit and Die, Cho
reminds you that she's an old-fashioned type of gal really; an
all-round entertainer, with a good pair of lungs.
Afterwards I thought hey, let's go chat to the Cho. Sneaking
backstage, I found myself making small talk with the great lady -
and completely forgetting to ask her any questions! I'm sure Lotte
Jeffs would have played it cooler. Just look at how she handled
Rihanna's boob. [They did get a picture tho - that's Paris
on the right, with her friend, and Margaret Cho centre.]
My friends and I headed to Soho for a de-Cho binge drinking
session. Two of my pals had travelled over from Belgium especially,
catching her on both the Friday and Saturday. Before we got too
plastered, we reached a group verdict that Cho had delivered the
best stand-up set we'd ever seen.
And with sex, laughter, bisexuality - and farts - what more
could Cho ask for?
Margaret has further UK tour dates this week in
London, Glasgow, before heading over to Tacoma and Los
Angeles.
For tickets and more information visit www.margaretcho.com
