Ever hated your job? If you have, you’re not alone. 70% of the British workforce do at some point, and they are the inspiration for Mel Byron’s show. ‘Karoshi’ means ‘death by overwork’ and was coined in Japan during an economic boom in which people literally worked themselves to death.
Part presentation, part rant, Byron has done her research and brought biscuits. There’s the customary demolition of buzzwords and business speak, but there’s more going on here than that. Byron dissects the modern management structure and traces it back all the way into ancient history, and invites the audience to pose the question: why do we put up with it?
Byron’s an affable performer and builds a personable rapport with the audience. While it’s a strength overall, the show could be elevated if she could inject some anger into her performance. She clearly has some strong opinions about some of the pioneers that led the world down the path of ‘karoshi’ and all those little, inward deaths that lead to Sunday night fear for so many.
Byron’s jokes are a little too hit and miss. As much as it’s clear where her anger lies, she’s just too nice to ram home her points. She could still build that rapport with the audience, but when it comes to the world of work, she needs to take the gloves off. Karoshi is on one more time at the fringe: 8pm on 2nd July 2019 in the Studio at The Kings Arms. https://manchesterfringe.eventotron.com/?event=25157
Reviewer: Steven Ireland
Reviewed: 1st July 2019
North West End Rating: ★★★
