Sydnee Washington has lived, babe – many lives. Lowkey, high key, some nights so embarrassing that only Black Barbie can reenact them in a stop-motion live show. Follow Sydnee’s life story from childhood to making questionable decisions as a bottle girl in the iconic nightclubs of 2010s New York City – and how she eventually climbed her way out through sobriety and, funnily enough, stand-up comedy. Join her for an unhinged night of judgement, laughs and maybe even a bit of inspiration.
Sometimes at the Edinburgh Fringe, the best discoveries are the ones you never actually planned to see.
I was walking between shows when I noticed I had enough time to squeeze another production into my schedule. I walked into Monkey Barrel, quickly scanned the listings and noticed someone flyering. They told me Sydnee Washington’s show was about to start, so with very little idea what I was about to see, I quickly headed downstairs.
And what a random Fringe discovery this turned out to be.
The first thing that struck me was Sydnee’s personality. It’s endearing. She is naturally funny without feeling as though she is presenting a set list of jokes which are desperately trying to make you laugh. Instead, the comedy comes through her personality, observations and the way she tells her stories.
Her anecdotes are fun, engaging and sometimes wonderfully chaotic. There is a relaxed quality to Sydnee’s performance which makes you feel as though you are listening to someone tell outrageous stories rather than sitting through a rigidly structured stand-up routine.
She came prepared with slides too – but not the boring geography ones you’d use at school. These had been carefully designed and became part of the comedy themselves, adding another dimension to the storytelling rather than simply sitting behind her as decoration.
The Black Barbie element also gives the production its own identity. This isn’t simply Sydnee standing on stage recounting her life; the visual elements allow her to play with those memories and present them in a way that feels distinctive and personal.
And the audience absolutely lapped Sydnee up as one of their own hoe’s.
Sydnee knew exactly how to jeer up the crowd. Audience interaction can be difficult, particularly when faced with a room full of people maintaining a stiff upper lip, but there was very little stiffness here. They clapped, applauded, laughed and happily went along for the ride.
That relationship between performer and audience is one of the show’s biggest strengths. Sydnee has a conversationalist approach which keeps the pace moving and makes the hour feel wonderfully informal. She can move between stories and observations without losing the room, and there’s a confidence to her delivery which makes it look considerably easier than it actually is.
There is substance underneath the laughs too. Her stories take us through different periods of her life, including the questionable decisions of her nightclub years, sobriety and eventually stand-up comedy. Sydnee doesn’t need to suddenly become overly serious to make those experiences meaningful; they are simply part of the person standing in front of us now.
I discovered afterwards that Sydnee has also been Emmy-nominated. I genuinely had no idea when I walked into the room – this gal is the bee’s knees!
Sydnee Washington is a mega tour de force. She’s landed!
My Black Barbie Story is a well-thought-out, personality-driven show which knows exactly who its audience is. Sydnee’s natural humour, storytelling and conversational style make her incredibly easy company for an hour.
I went in completely by chance, knowing very little about what I was about to watch, and came out having thoroughly enjoyed myself.
So if, like me, you happen across Sydnee Washington at the Fringe – head downstairs, take your seat and have some fun.
★★★★ 4 Stars
“Sydnee Washington is a mega tour de force – she’s landed!”
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/sydnee-washington-my-black-barbie-story
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