Review: Chloe Petts: How You See Me, How You Don’t

Chloe Petts is so refreshing. In a show that broaches subjects that could easily be negative – gender identity and confusion, hardcore internet trolls, accepting sexuality – there’s a massive amount of joy in How You See Me, How You Don’t.

The show is inspired by Petts’ experiences on Sky Sports, first as an occasional punter, then with her own show. Since she is someone who doesn’t present the same way as the usual female football presenters, trolls were out in force during her tenure. They were so harsh and so relentless on her looks, sexuality and gender identity that she found herself questioning everything.

Petts weaves seamlessly in and out of this story and reminiscences about her years at an all-girls school – did anyone know she was gay and did they care; did she know she was gay and did she care? These diversions are so smooth; Petts really is a consummate stand-up, making it look easy with how comfortable she seems on stage. No matter how niche the bit (getting turned on by the foot-measuring machine at Clarks, for example), somehow everyone is invested.

It’s a show that could have been downbeat, but How You See Me, How You Don’t revels in the euphoria of not knowing – an absolute belter from Petts.