English musical comedian Jordan Gray shot to notoriety in the UK around four years ago with her show Is It A Bird? I’ve got a hazy memory of taking a punt on this one late night at 2023’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I clearly remember lots of laughs in an hour that combined a thread about being a trans woman with some outrageously funny thoughts, and a killer song.
After such a huge debut success, Gray faces some challenges: what to do next, and how to handle being increasingly visible to trolls as her fame grows. The latter provided a deal of motivation for Gray’s writing of Is That a Cock in Your Pocket, or are You Just Here to Kill Me? Regular laughs in the house showed that our performer’s rapid-fire wit (more a Gatling gun than a six-shooter) scored a lot of bulls-eyes.
The show’s title seems to reference film star Mae West’s infamous quote about a banana. It makes sense that Gray could be inspired by a woman who also had an unconventional image and persona given her era of show-biz.
Gray’s costume suggested a further connection. A wide belt of linked silver discs, together with cowgirl boots and matching hat set firmly atop flowing black locks, vaguely reminds us of West’s famous “Western” looks. (Maybe the 1936 film Go West, Young Man, for example?)
But Gray isn’t going for West’s glamour here. Being dressed all in black, is she trying to be a “baddie”? Well, in persona terms, sometimes. A deal of the show had Gray seeing how much egotism she could show on stage, such as through boasting about her achievements and song-writing genius, without repelling the audience.
This material works because its excesses make it very funny, which helps to lighten the show around Gray’s more vulnerable moments, where she relates tales of discrimination.
Through these we see that the title undersells Gray’s experience if anything – cis women will have a go at online bullying too. But no matter who is questioning Gray’s womanhood, she’s got snappy comebacks (that I won’t spoil) to crisply undercut any would-be bigot’s world view. These delivered some of the biggest laughs of the evening.
Given that this is a Cabaret festival, we could have some minor quibbles. With only a few songs on offer, this is more a comedy show with a limited view of Gray’s musical talents. And some tangents didn’t add much to the tale, but she gets away with them through the set’s brisk pace.
Still, London’s a long way away (jetlagged Gray was here for just slightly longer than the two days of her shows). The comedy, whether through long-range callbacks or surprising turns, made this a highly entertaining show from a performer we rarely see in Australia.
The audience were regularly shocked or surprised into laughter, and musical contributions amused through gymnastics around keyboard playing and singing. Local audiences should probably feel a bit smug that they were able to lasso the chance to experience Jordan Gray live.
Is That a Cock In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here to Kill Me?
Banquet Room – Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Performance: Friday 19 June 2026 (7:00pm)
Information: www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
Image: Jordan Gray – photo by Dylan Woodley
Review: Jason Whyte