Edinburgh Fringe comedy review

The humour of nostalgia plays a significant role in Class Of 2000. Consider yourself part of the target market if you remember Windows XP, Vienettas and Sega Mega Drives.

More space in the show is given over to dressage, however, and the theme is well-timed to enjoy any elevated prominence the Olympics has given the sport. Sooz Kempner’s mother was a professional competitor, and the comedian remains a considerable fan of the sport.

Kempner describes herself as lower-middle class, considering Pizza Express to be ‘quite posh’. One of the biggest laughs near the start of the show comes from mention of what Keir Starmer’s parents did for a living, which shows the extent to which that oft-repeated piece of political messaging cut through.

‘I’ve got too much show, so I’m just going to say it fast,’ says Kempner at one point, and the rapid-fire nature of the hour helps it all along. One brilliant throwaway line, ‘OK groomer’, doesn’t get anywhere near what it deserves, and maybe demonstrates the extent to which Kempner is part of the always-online generation. 

She’s enjoyably combative when Scottish football fans in the audience take issue with the pleasure she derives from a classic England football team memory. She thinks microphones deserve more credit for the part they play in the success of comedy gigs. Disneyland and Pornhub are touched on. All great moments. There’s a fine joke at JK Rowling’s expense, which is admittedly a theme of this year’s Fringe.

Everything is succeeding in getting the room laughing. She handles walkouts – it’s Saturday afternoon, it happens – pretty well. There’s quite a bit of singing, which is another of Kempner’s strengths. As this hour is called Class of 2000, she alights on the finest possible choice of pre-show music: Will 2K by Will ​Smith.

All these references are effective in extracting warm laughs from her (surprisingly well-lit) audience, but naturally feel a bit like they are easy pickings. Add half a star if you like dressage, or ever used MSN Messenger.

Review date: 13 Aug 2024
Reviewed by: Mark Muldoon
Reviewed at: Underbelly Bristo Square