Ben Powell
Progress in Work is a camp hour with Sister Brandi Bex, the UK’s premiere drag healthcare worker. Brandi regales us with the REAL stories of working the wards as a nurse, from dating doctors and dodging disaster to steering clear (or not!) of the dreaded ‘sluice juice’!
When I mentioned that I was going to watch this show, a friend told me that Sister Brandi was like a blend of John Cooper-Clarke and Lily Savage and I couldn’t think of a more apt description! Brandi is clearly comfortable on stage, with solid audience patter, and her experience is evident.
I particularly enjoyed her poetry, heightened by her dry delivery, and her jokes prompted titters throughout. The parody songs were also well-written but a couple may have gone on a little longer than necessary.
In Progress in Work, Brandi clearly demonstrates the strength of her craft but I wondered if a clearer through-line through the content might have helped pace the hour. Dry, catty and all delivered with a knowing wink, Sister Brandi Bex is solid Saturday-night entertainment!
Recommended Drink: Knowing Miss Brandi? Just give hook me up to an IV drip of rum and coke.
While Sister Brandi Bex has finished her stint at Colchester Fringe, you can see more of what she’s doing at www.allthabex.com and find more of what’s going on at Colchester Fringe on their website.
