#thenewme is a satirical comedy on all the latest, trending crazes and the people who partake in them. Athleisure, diet fads, pyramid schemes, cancel culture, the tinder grind – this all too relatable one person show comments on the versions of people we see online, and the hilarity of it all, linking these series of sketches with the hashtag “#thenewme”.

The Jonesway theatre creates a cozy, intermit atmosphere for this performance to unfold. The size of the venue enables Mariah O’Dea to get up close and personal with her Instagram “followers” – the audience. O’Dea engaged the audience and enlisted their help in a number sketches in a non-threatening and enjoyable way. The props gave the performance an extra dimension and were funny parodies of the real brands we know and love. The performance is really fun and playful, whilst also exploring our obsession with online personalities, influencers and all things trending online.

This show had everyone in stitches. You’ll be saying “omg that’s just like my friend” or “omg that’s just like me”. #thenewme is relatable to anyone with a phone, and is a great performance for those looking for a easy-watching and witty show. If you saw it last year, you should still see it again - O’Dea has added some new jokes which are sure to make you laugh.

At one point, I was a bit unsure what angle was being taken on a particular issue. However, I think the satirical nature of the show allowed this segment to be explored whilst keeping the atmosphere fun and easy going.

#thenewme was clever and well put together. This one-person comedy with a storyline is great fun and a show not to be missed. If you’re looking for something new and interesting to watch this year before Fringe is over, you should definitely be adding this show to your planner.

#funny #fringe #thenewme