In her second Edinburgh Fringe show, Olga Koch manages to cover a huge range of subject matter, her Russian background, her time in America, the different attitudes across the globe towards women in tech, Michael Buble, The Wiggles and more…
As a woman who studied computer science, Koch keeps a running theme throughout the show of how she’s not like other girls. It’s something men in her life have said to her that I think a lot of women who drink beer/like music/air opinions are told, Koch unpacks how this is a weird compliment, yet plenty of us are guilty of accepting it. Why is that? Koch can’t speak for all of us but with her help of the AI she built, ALGO and her computer science logic, she analyses the strange tightrope misogyny creates for women and common reactions to it.
I know Koch as a confident, outgoing and charismatic performer and it’s interesting to see her challenge herself and reveal a more vulnerable side of herself in If/Then. This risk adds a more relatable angle to the show and if Koch introduces a sad story then she always follows it up with a sharp joke.
This is a tightly packed show that showcases Koch’s witty and original take on the world.
★★★★
Olga Koch: If/Then is at the Monkey Barrel until 25th August, times vary. For tickets and more information click here!
Funny Women are at the Edinburgh Fringe with five shows, from 19th – 23rd August, a Funny Women Awards 2019 semi-final, a Stand Up to Stand Out workshop and a Meet Up. Come find us!
There’s still time to nominate a women-led show for the 2019 Funny Women Awards’ Best Show Category! The show with the most nominations will be picked! Nominate a show you have seen or your own show by 31st August here!
