Irene Woo: Golden Child blends relatability and discovery of new experiences in a solid stand-up set, with humour that’s enjoyable for people of all backgrounds.
Woo takes the audience through several stages of her life, from growing up in France to working at Google in the United States. First focusing on her parents and the pressure they put on her growing up, she brings a levity to the otherwise heavy topic of parental expectations.
Throughout the show, Woo refers back to a story about her brother’s wedding, in which she shares with her father a “deep dark secret.” Though I found the secret itself easy to guess, having the show continuously circle back to this event brought a nice structure and sense of organisation. You truly felt as if Woo was letting you into a slice of her life, and providing the necessary backstories for you to properly enjoy the jokes.
Woo’s interactions with the audience throughout the show are done with wit and ease. She also seems to grow more comfortable onstage as the show goes on, settling into a rhythm. Though at the beginning the show feels almost too rehearsed, by the end it feels like you are on FaceTime with a friend who is regaling you with stories of her past boyfriends or middle school bullies.
The highlight of the show for me was Woo’s observations on the French, and her experience growing up in France. I’ll admit I’m slightly biased, as I’m half-French myself, but this means you can take my word for it that she perfectly captures French attitudes and culture. Her tales from the tech world, taken from her experiences as a Google engineer, also entertained the audience while touching on what it’s like to be a woman in that space.
Despite a few predictable punchlines, Irene Woo: Golden Child is a show filled with delightful personal, poignant, and of course, funny anecdotes. Her unique multicultural background creates material that’s versatile and humorous.
Irene Woo: Golden Child is running until 30 August at Just The Snifter Room at Just The Tonic at The Mash House. Buy tickets here.
Image by Thomas Moore provided for press use.
