When Effie debuted on the Australian sitcom Acropolis Now in 1989, she became a cultural icon and an enduring legend in Australian comedy. Effie, full name Efthimia Francesca Stephanidis, is a stereotyped second-generation Greek-Australian with big hair and a big mouth, meaning what she says but not always saying what she means. Thirty-five years later, comedian Mary Coustas continues to bring Effie to both new and familiar audiences, remaining fresh and relevant as she espouses on the issues of the day and other people’s relationships. The opening night full house of Effie’s short Fringe run is testament to her legacy and lasting popularity. Effie in Upyourselfness is her take on the current debates around political correctness and freedom of speech. She expresses herself on cancel culture, pronouns, the power of words, and most importantly, respect for self and others. Her comedic take on these issues of the day are doused in basic truths and common sense while never attempting to belittle those who think differently. This is a mature, articulate Effie who still gets the odd word wrong, but has moved beyond hairdressing into a rapidly changing world that is confusing itself. Effie knows how to tell a story, make a point, and hit it home. The second half of the show is interactive, drawing embarrassing moments from audience members and discussing them. While fun, it takes up too much of the hour, particularly given than Effie needs to repeat everything said by each audience member so the rest can hear it. To listen, it’s a one-sided conversation which starts to get tedious by the time she moves on to the fifth person and beyond. A few people would have been enough. Effie in Upyourselfness is more about not being up yourself even when you are. Full respect for keeping anger out of such hot issues and reminding us that differences can be talked about maturely. When there’s so many laughs involved too, the debate simply comes to life.