Katherine Ryan: In Trouble

Katherine Ryan steps onto the stage at the Eventim Apollo and greets the crowd. She thanks the audience and reflects on her journey from being an unwelcome surprise on mixed bills to headlining a major venue. latestnetflix.com's view is that she jokes about her transformation and her unapologetic embrace of her identity, including a quip about her appearance and a comment on the audience taking photos despite venue rules.

She engages with young women in the audience, asking their ages and playfully teasing them about their reactions to her comedy. She shares a moment with a 17-year-old named Lara and her father, discussing the generational divide in appreciating her style of humor. Katherine reflects on the power of women’s voices and the importance of speaking for oneself, even at a young age.

Katherine shifts to discussing aging and societal expectations for women, particularly those over 30. She challenges stereotypes about aging and body image, using humor to critique the pressure on women to remain youthful and small. She also touches on relationships with younger men, dismissing the idea that women seek such pairings deliberately.

She recounts a brief and accidental romance with a 25-year-old man, highlighting the generational and cultural differences that led to its quick end. Katherine reflects on her own romantic history, including a relationship with a Jewish man that ended due to religious differences, particularly the issue of circumcision. She uses humor to critique the expectations placed on women in relationships and the absurdity of some cultural norms.

Katherine addresses the controversy surrounding Bill Cosby and the broader issue of sexual assault in the comedy community. She shares a humorous but pointed anecdote about conducting an impromptu "CRB check" with audience members to illustrate how rapists might react to being asked direct questions. She also discusses the silence of Cosby’s accusers, framing it within the context of their careers and the power dynamics of the time.

She pivots to discussing her tour and the comedians she invited to support her, comparing herself to Taylor Swift in terms of fan engagement. Katherine critiques Taylor Swift’s selective "sisterhood," highlighting her preference for associating with Victoria’s Secret models and Lena Dunham over her actual fans. She also touches on Nicki Minaj’s public critique of Swift, using it to discuss racial and body-shaming dynamics in the entertainment industry.

Katherine shifts to discussing her Canadian identity and her hometown of Sarnia, a place she describes as terrible and polluted. She shares humorous anecdotes about her family, including her sister Joanne, who lives in the mountains and embodies a stereotypical Canadian persona. She also mentions her younger sister Kerrie, who is getting married, and the strained relationship she has with Kerrie’s friends from childhood.

Katherine recounts a childhood game called "Relax" that she played with Kerrie, which often led to punishment from their strict father. She reflects on the bullying she endured in school, including a school newspaper that mocked her appearance. She shares how she coped with the bullying and the headmaster’s concern that she might be planning a school shooting, using humor to downplay the seriousness of the situation.

She discusses a controversial joke she made on a British panel show about testing cosmetics on Filipino children instead of animals, which led to backlash and even death threats. Katherine shares how the incident spiraled out of control, with misinterpretations spreading across the Philippines and beyond. She reflects on the unintended consequences of her humor and the importance of context.

Katherine returns to the topic of her sister Kerrie’s wedding and the strained relationship she has with Kerrie’s friends. She shares a story about attending the hen do and being mocked for her career and single status. She reflects on the pressure to conform to traditional expectations and the judgment she faces for not doing so.

She discusses her dating life and an encounter with an English actor who complimented her in a bizarre and objectifying way. Katherine shares how she ended the relationship after the actor’s inappropriate comments and her refusal to be someone’s "Lena Dunham" for the sake of his image. She also touches on the challenges of being a single mother and the judgment she faces for her lifestyle.

Katherine shares a humorous and touching story about her six-year-old daughter, Violet, and their many pets, including a recent tragedy involving one of their rabbits. She reflects on the chaos of single motherhood and the unexpected moments of joy and humor that come with it. She also discusses the challenges of introducing her child to new partners and the importance of setting boundaries.

She reflects on her mother’s aging and the invisibility that older women often face in society. Katherine shares her mother’s experiences and her own observations about aging, using humor to critique societal expectations and the pressure to remain youthful. She also touches on the challenges of being a single mother and the importance of resilience.

Katherine concludes her set by practicing her maid of honor speech for her sister Kerrie’s wedding. She shares humorous and heartfelt reflections on her relationship with Kerrie, their shared history, and the challenges they’ve faced together. She jokes about their expulsion from various events for laughing and reflects on the bond they share despite their differences. She ends with a playful "relax" to the audience, bringing the performance full circle.