Tales of Being Fired
Award-winning New York comedian Susan Jeremy writes, produces, and performs her one-woman show that follows her crazy life journey and the eye-popping number of mind-numbing jobs she took and got fired from before she found her real calling as a comic, writes Michael Holland.
There is much hilarity on the way where her innocence rather than any incompetence had her almost getting businesses closed down by her presence on the payroll!
Of course, no one could be that unlucky, could they? She somehow ended up in a psychiatric ward, but as a teacher! Even Susan seemed surprised.
But the show is not merely a catalogue of workplace disasters; it is about a woman finding herself through an internal dialogue that she opens up to the world. Whenever she is sacked, she gives it to the boss with both barrels – verbally – and we all think, ‘Go, Susan!’ But then she adds the P.S.: ‘That’s what I wanted to say…’ We all know it. We have all been there and done exactly that. We’ve all had something to say but not said it.
Jobs in bakeries, restaurants, as an usher, and a cigarette seller on skates, Susan has done it all, and all while hearing her mother’s constant nagging: ‘Get a job with a pension!’
As well as the comic lines, there is a lot of slapstick movement around the stage as she impersonates former bosses in a way that I’m guessing is very close to the truth.
When she finds herself working with students with special educational needs, it looks like she has found her vocation. She is perfect for the job. But there was always something else for her to do. More to find out about herself – A lot more…!
After more than 20 years teaching, Susan took her comedy show on the road around North America and won several awards on the way. This is her London debut, and I sensed a little apprehension, but Ms Jeremy is a class act; she knows how to work a room, and I think we will see a lot more of her here.
Greenwich Theatre until 25th April.
Booking and full details: https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/
