Review: Big Lez

Lily Starr is not kidding about the title of her show. There are tales of Sydney’s inner-West, how to milk straight guilt post-plebisite, and how to deflect extreme allyship, all of which resonate with an empathetic audience. 

Starr has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy – or ‘epilezby’ – which has given her mates fuel for dry jokes and her mum reason to panic. Based on all the drugs and alcohol she’s gutted to miss out on post-diagnosis and with the jokes she makes about her students, she may also be potentially the most irresponsible teacher in Australia. 

The show is at its best when Starr is able to string together a narrative, but too often Big Lez stops and starts as Starr loses her place. It’s a real shame as there are periods of great laughter that lose momentum when she needs to check her notes once again, or is unsure of her own transitions. 

Big Lez has some solid moments, and makes some important points about queer representation, but is ultimately let down by an under-rehearsed performance. 

 

Lily Starr: Big Lez, Live from Tandanya, 9:30pm, 23 Feb, $20.