Michelle De Swarte: The Afters review – blazing gags from a comic who says what she sees

2026-03-23 - 14:39

Brighton Corn Exchange The fantastically confident standup is a blast from the start with her takes on menopause, parenting and her upbringing Model, actor, journalist, comedian: no doubting Michelle De Swarte is a jack of all trades, but is she a master of this one? On the evidence of her funny and mouthy touring show, it’s a yes. The set may not tread novel ground for comedy – far from it – nor cohere around any particular theme. But The Afters is distinguished by a fantastically confident and cavalier standup voice, as the south Londoner fires off hot and heedless takes on the menopause, parenting and her unconventional upbringing. You feel in safe hands from the get-go when De Swarte turns what you assume to be some off-the-peg, flatter-the-locals crowd work into a fine set piece about cultural appropriation and Norfolk seafarers. She follows up with a number about a “poor-off” contest she had with a citizen of Bradford, whose salty tang of truth adds up to something far funnier than the usual comedy of class cliches. Then comes our host’s menopause material, distinguished from comparable routines by the pose of stroppy denial De Swarte strikes that such a fate might ever befall her. Touring until 30 May Continue reading...