The hilarious, truth-telling Effie returns to the Adelaide Fringe, once again lifting the lid on political correctness and freedom of speech all wrapped up in an hour of some of the best comedy going around.

For over 30 years, Effie, the extremely Greek alter-ego of Mary Coustas, has been performing stand-up comedy across Australia. Rising to fame in 1987 in the successful stage show Wogs Out Of Work with Nick Giannopoulos, Effie and Mary have forged their own unique brand of comedy.

UpYourselfness is Effie at her best. This show is fast, it’s witty and it pushes boundaries. Go in ready for a good laugh, but also prepare to be challenged as Effie does hit home with some truths. Nothing is off limits for Effie in this show — pronouns, woke culture, racism, sexism and feminism, to name but a few of the topics Effie covers. The show moves at a cracking pace — from start to finish, you barely have time to breathe between Effie’s cracking one liners. Effie knows how to build a joke to the perfect punchline (that you often don’t see coming). 

Effie knows her target audience, and this is clear especially in the last section of her show where she talks openly to members of the audience. This is improv comedy at its best. I’m always surprised at the information she is able to get from audience members. This comes from a place of trust — Effie’s fans know her, she is their voice of reason, and she has spent years building this wonderful connection to her fans.

Effie is only in town for two performances this Fringe and her final show is close to selling out. She is a master of comedy and storytelling and it is well worth adding to your Fringe line up.