Review by Steve Bennett

The catty queen of cabaret is going mainstream - well, sort of.

She's even forsaken lesbianism for a chap, though in typically fucked-up style he was gay, too, and she's clearly now aiming to broaden her appeal outside the queer community who already clasped her to their bosom.

But with a show called Bitchin' (which is exactly what you get) and the sort of material that can plumb new depths of tastelessness, it's clear she's not exactly pitching for that daytime TV job just yet.

This solo hour is a sinfully enjoyable bout of bitterly acidic stand-up, in which nothing escapes a tongue-lashing, liberally punctuated with some belters of songs, both self-penned and covers. And boy, can this woman sing.

In truth, though, the comedy seems slightly derivative - so even if the gags are new (and occasionally they're not), it's all done in a very familiar style. Yet it suits her bluntly honest persona perfectly, making for a distinct Jackie Clune package.

At the head of the show she promises that she'll be cruel and nasty for an hour, but that we'll love her more at the end of it. And, somewhat surprisingly, that's exactly what she does.

Review date: 1 Jan 2001
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett