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Bitch On The Mic (Work In Progress)

 
Elanor Parker Review by Elanor Parker 3 Published: 26 May 2026 Multiple Venues Show Dates: 7 May 2026-25 May 2026

Spending an hour in a pop-up venue heated by direct sunlight in soaring temperatures on a bank holiday weekend is enough to make anyone, well, a bit of a bitch. ‘Sweaty Bitch’ is, in fact, one of the cast of bitches - inner critics - that live in the head of Jess Nicks. This comedic show talks about how important it is to ‘debitch your brain’ of the voices that only seek to hold you back. Sweaty Bitch is almost too hot and uncomfortable to function, but fortunately, despite the very warm environment, Nicks is enough of a lively and likeable presence to keep her audience laughing throughout.

There were regular whoops and nods of recognition

We get to meet all the bitches that have spent time occupying Nicks’ thoughts: there’s Self-Entitled Bitch - the stuck-up one who thinks her opinion is the greatest. Hormonal Bitch - whose mood swings are dangerously wild - is closely interlinked with ADHD Bitch, whose neurodiverse brain fires off different areas at the same time, creating a rave of thoughts. Self-Doubt Bitch is a Gollum-like creature, lurking in the shadows to whisper mean barbs in your ear.

Nicks’ observations aren’t particularly original, but that helps to add to their relatability: everyone will have heard the nagging voice of at least one of these negative Nancys at one time or another. There were regular whoops and nods of recognition amongst the audience as Nicks cycled through her set list of bitches.

This might be Nicks’ debut show, but it’s a performance worthy of a seasoned comedian. The framework of bitches is already a funny concept, but it’s her ability to connect with her audience through her vulnerability and openness, as well as her prowess in reacting to the moment and handling unexpected situations, that really captured the audience’s attention.

There are still moments that need refining. It’s true that the show is called Bitch on a Mic, but so much of it was spent talking about the power of debitching your brain that it seemed odd not to discuss at all how she had managed to achieve that. Slow transitions between characters left the audience twiddling their thumbs, and the final climax took some time to arrive; I could feel the audience shifting in their seats, a little unsure how to react to their performer leaving the stage.

However, good things do come to those who wait, and the ending is genuinely surprising, empowering, and laugh-out-loud funny. If that wasn’t enough of a high, as a parting gift, Nicks handed out ice pops to everyone; a thoughtful gesture that felt less like a formality and more like being looked after by a new friend. After all, by the end, we all felt we knew Nicks, and ourselves, a little better.

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The Blurb:

A raw, playful and darkly funny theatre show that cracks open the world of a woman with late-diagnosed ADHD, haunted by the voices that told her she was never enough. Blending clown, character work and storytelling, Jess leads the audience through the chaos of a mind pushed to breaking point and the slow, stubborn climb back to herself. Packed full of sharp humour, surprising tenderness and a host of unruly characters who refuse to stay quiet. Highly relatable and absolutely ridiculous, this is a show about shame, transformation and the power of speaking the truth out loud. Bitch On The Mic invites you to witness what happens when a woman stops running from her past and steps into the light to dance with it instead. It’s a celebration of resilience, rebellion and the freedom that comes when you finally reclaim your power from your inner critic. Expect a rollercoaster of emotion, powerful messages and insights. Please note: This show is not for the easily offended or faint hearted.