Review: Katy Berry: Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy

In a dark, stuffy room that towers high above the Cowgate, a demigoddess with turquoise hair and glamorous sequins awaits. Bubbles from a handheld machine operated by a helpful assistant signal her entrance and from here, we are transported from this musty room to a magical moonlit group therapy session, with piano accompaniment. 

Katy Berry, of Baby Wants Candy fame, is a skilled improviser, whether she’s belting out riffs or doing impressive Nicki Minaj-esque raps about the audience’s guilty pleasures. The purpose of our coming together today is to unleash our inner magic and go full goddess; to let go, manifest and move forward, thanks to the Long Island comedian’s handy step-by-step guide.

A particularly cringe-worthy story about mooning an audience as a 12-year-old during a talent show and having an extremely unfortunate incident with some Nair will elicit intense feelings of nostalgia in anyone that has been an awkward teenager. But the point of these anecdotes is to encourage us to embrace our inner selves, whatever that may look like.

Despite the general silliness (including an appearance from a mystical Billy Joel) and references to Berry being Poseidon’s illegitimate daughter, Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy is a show that explores identity and how internalised shame from your adolescence can follow you well into adulthood.