| 14 August 2011
For the last 25 years Susan Murray has harboured a passion for collecting passport photographs: of herself, friends and complete strangers. The premise of the show is that every one of her precious pictures tells a different story, and, lucky us, we are about to hear them all.
Susan’s gallery is a snapshot of her life, changing hairstyles and different boyfriends (for better and for worse). She even has a snap of her stalker. The thing is, this anthology proves to be more of a long abstemious musing than a hilarious comedy show. Even when she is out to get some laughs with her stories of starting an accidental riot, and skinning her face ‘til she resembled Adolf Hitler, the reaction is polite rather than guttural. All too often Susan relies upon the funniness of the pictures themselves than on her own ability as a comedienne to tease out witty observations worthy of a laugh.
When discussing her photographs of friends and family, Susan ups her game, delivering entertaining personal stories that she has had years to practise and perfect. Her experience of stalkerdom adds another string to her bow. Familiarity, not improvisation, it appears is her strength. Unfortunately, an hour with Susan is more akin to a tedious ramble through your grandmother’s albums than anything else.
Susan Murray’s Photo Booth, The Stand, 4-28 August (except 15th), 5.55pm
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