Michelle De Swarte's The Afters: A Blazing Standup Show Review
Model, actor, journalist, and comedian Michelle De Swarte proves she is a master of standup comedy with her touring show, The Afters. Performing at the Brighton Corn Exchange, De Swarte delivers a funny and mouthy performance that showcases her fantastically confident and cavalier voice. The south Londoner fires off hot and heedless takes on topics like menopause, parenting, and her unconventional upbringing, making for an engaging and hilarious experience.
Confident Start and Cultural Commentary
From the very beginning, audiences feel in safe hands as De Swarte transforms what seems like standard crowd work into a sharp set piece on cultural appropriation and Norfolk seafarers. She follows this with a humorous bit about a "poor-off" contest with a Bradford citizen, adding a salty tang of truth that elevates it beyond typical class clichés. Her say-what-she-sees manner appears wholly unaffected, as she arches eyebrows at modern phenomena, such as an app her niece uses to track periods or a man claiming his girlfriend "makes him feel safe."
Menopause and Personal Insights
De Swarte's menopause material stands out due to her pose of stroppy denial, refusing to accept such a fate might befall her. This approach distinguishes her routine from others on the topic. The show avoids pieties and shoot-from-the-hip posturing, instead offering a raw and honest perspective. Her resistance to touchy-feeliness is contextualized by her forebears, who are described as poor, queer, and ruthlessly unsentimental, adding rough-hewn comic effect and making her personality wholly explicable.
Striking Final Section and Future Potential
The show's striking final section recalls attitudes De Swarte grew up with regarding teenage girls dating older men and itemizes her encounters with figures like Jeffrey Epstein and P Diddy. While one might wish for more depth here, it whets the appetite for potential future projects, such as a whole show or book on these experiences. The Afters leaves audiences eager for more from this cheerfully incautious comic voice, touring until 30 May.
Overall, The Afters may not tread novel ground or cohere around a specific theme, but it is distinguished by De Swarte's confident delivery and unfiltered humor. Her ability to blend personal anecdotes with broader social commentary makes this a must-see for comedy fans.
