Gender Spanner

Jessica McKerlie’s one person show Gender Spanner is billed with the tag lines “Are you a man? Are you a woman? Are you sure?”

This one hour show examines gender identity in many forms, Disarmingly honest and often very funny, Jessica McKerlie opens the show by escaping from a straight jacket in the form of a rather obnoxious red dress. Questioning femininity and gender issues in a variety of ways, the show also includes elements of circus, some strip-tease, shades of burlesque and some unexpected puppetry. With stories from her life and some self deprecating humour, Jessica sings well, including some clever original songs and is self accompanied on ukulele.

Raising some fascinating issues, Jessica works expertly with the audience, in a show that moves smoothly. Much of its success lies in Jessica’s charm as a person - a really likeable and open performer with a genuine affection for people.

While not for everyone (there is nudity, strong language and some graphic images), this exploration of gender queer, is a little charmer of a show, which is well worth seeing.

Kimberley Shaw