Birdy was determined to make it to the Banshee Labyrinth to see Kate’s new show Severe Lacerations to the Head – part of PBH’s Free Fringe. She even messaged ahead to make sure she’d get in!
Comedian Kate Smurthwaite is a bit of an Edinburgh Fringe staple, and someone I’d vaguely been following via social media for years (mainly due to an abusive comedian ex, but that’s another story!).
It’s only the past couple of years I’ve really been paying a lot more attention, with News at Kate and her ongoing support for Palestine by calling out the horrendous genocide and telling us what we can do about it (I also enjoyed her drag king act last year).
So, when I heard about Severe Lacerations to the Head, I instantly knew this show was exactly my vibe and I wanted to hear what Kate had to say.
Vibe
Kate’s very chilled out and at home in the cinema room of the Banshee Labyrinth – for instance, it’s a venue she’s clearly comfortable with and as she points out, isn’t supporting genocide in Gaza, so that’s already a huge win.
She welcomes us in, takes a seat herself, and explains what we can expect and how much the show’s had to change considering the very nature of politics and the rollercoaster we’ve all been on the past few months in terms of news and media happenings.
The show itself
There’s a lot that’s been happening for all of us in 2025. For instance, we get to hear all about the reason Kate was the subject of news herself recently, when no-one showed up to two of her Fringe shows and she cited ‘the Oasis Effect’. She was labelled a ‘furious feminist comedian’ by various rags, and the funniest part of that is that she actually got a shout out from Noel Gallagher at Tuesday’s gig, even if he did mistakenly call her a lesbian.
She was also mistakenly called a ‘TV comedian’, when really Kate points out she’s more of an in-person comedian and a TV political voice. I particularly enjoyed Kate’s recounting of the time she rendered Piers Morgan speechless, and about being approached to do mushrooms with Katie Hopkins.
I know there’s always a bit of drama following Kate; mainly because she’s unapologetically herself, and totally at ease with who she is whilst happening to be on the right side of history – even when she’s at a swinger’s retreat and arguing about zionism with a man who happens to have “the worst dick ever”.
Which brings Kate onto her musings about how much of the world’s atrocities are created by men with bad dicks – and to be honest, she’s probably onto something! I also think I was only one of a couple of people in the audience who knew who Trinny and Susannah was (I remember What Not to Wear well, and they have a LOT to answer for!).
Anyway, the show acknowledges that the world’s in a bit of a state, but despite that, it’s not a depressing show – it’s a funny show, the content of which may be subject to change. Kate’s really comfortable and down to earth with her audience – to the extent the cinema room feels like you’re in Kate’s living room – and I had a really good laugh.
I especially laughed a lot with how the show ended, where we get to find out why the title of the show itself is Severe Lacerations to The Head. I’m glad we eventually got to that reveal moment!
Overall
I had a fab time at Kate Smurthwaite: Severe Lacerations to the Head, which I highly recommend you go and see (perhaps if you give a sh*t about what’s going on in the world and want to feel less alone and helpless about the whole mess). It’s only on until the 17th, so don’t miss out!
Kate Smurthwaite: Severe Lacerations to the Head
Summary
Kate talks about the state of the world, and how she – and the rest of us – are getting through it. With laughs, and a bit of direction when it comes to what the f*ck to do about it. Thanks, Kate, you’ve got my support.
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