Authentically raw, mischievously funny and courageously hopeful, Jordan Gray‘s second debut hour packs an energetic punch. Filled to the brim with sharp stand up, playful comedy songs and poignant tragicomedy, the force of nature that is Jordan Gray is back, with a bang. Covering flying tampons, a goth childhood, a special on-stage guest and the image of a baby feeding from it’s own breasts, the delightful mayhem isn’t in short supply.
It’s been a whirlwind few years for Jordan Gray, from winning a BAFTA for her performance on Channel 4’s Friday Night Live to taking her award winning, genre defining debut show Is It A Bird? on tour around the globe, it’s safe to say the pressure is on for her second hour show, which Gray acknowledges in the first song.
Like many a blockbuster, how could the sequel ever live up to the first? For me, this was a sequel that did not disappoint – some new characters, a new setting, but the same mischievous humour and sparkle of the first, with some new catchy tunes thrown in.
The first song reminds us of the sheer positive force that Gray is, with high energy and killer vocals.
Next, we’re propelled into sharp stand up, commenting on the transphobic state of the world. Referencing the recent rulings restricting and banning trans rights, and Gray’s lived experience of this both on and offline, including receiving death threats – this shapes the story of the show: how is Gray supposed to navigate thriving in comedy, while living in a world on fire, where some want her dead?
In her characteristically hopeful style, Gray is able to make beautiful comedy amongst all this tragedy, perfectly summarised in one gag: her googling one night if silicon breast implants are bullet proof. Gray’s comedy eclipses the oppressive forces, radiating hope and laughter, poking fun at the hypocrisies of each troll, and this is where she shines brightest.
My favourite moments include Gray calling out these hypocrisies, with questions like: Why can countries re-name and re-identify themselves, and she can’t? Why can Katy Perry go to Space, but she can’t go to the girls’ bathroom?
Gray’s musical talents are varied and effortless, she dazzles on the piano and vocals, and introduces in this show a guitar number, giving country rock-star energy, which proves to be an audience favourite, with a catchy chorus of ‘I wanna fuck myself’.
The final song holds the most emotive moment of the show, with Gray revealing her purpose and ultimate motivation, the only thing that keeps her going in such a bleak landscape (which, I won’t ruin). Never serious for very long however, Gray instantly cuts this moment of earnestness with a sprinkling of slapstick humour that ties the show together, finishing on a very strong callback, which is satisfying in it’s absolute wholesomeness.
Leaving the show, you are just as much in awe of Gray as you were after her last show. And I left hoping it’s a trilogy…
You can catch Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? at Soho Theatre Dean Street every night until 31 May @ 9:15 PM, and throughout August at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. You can grab a ticket here.
