James Haddrell speaks on award-winning comedian Cerys Bradley

Cerys Bradley is rapidly becoming seen as a force of nature on the theatre and cabaret circuit.

The autistic, non-binary stand-up comedian became an award-winner at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022 and has been seen on BBC1 Wales, BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio Wales.

Now they are set to bring a work-in-progress performance of their new show, Not Overthinking Things, to Greenwich Theatre next week.

An interactive fusion of birthday party and stand-up set, the show asks a series of questions – did Cerys cause their parents’ divorce? Are they too mean to their work colleagues? Is a new year’s resolution ever going to be enough to fix their personality?

The beauty of the interactive format means the audience gets to decide.

As if that’s not enough, the following week sees the arrival of Boyz Nite (on Friday, July 28, a ground-breaking performance showcase created by Bradley for trans masc performers.

This unique cabaret variety evening aims to provide a platform for underrepresented LGBTQ+ performers, offering new and established artists the opportunity to flourish and share their talent.

This is being described as “a transformative experience that challenges conventional norms and celebrates diversity on stage.”

Boyz Nite emerged as a response to the dearth of trans masc platforms within the nightlife and cabaret scene.

While various projects have focused on trans and non-binary performers who identify as female, there has been a notable absence of opportunities for trans masculine artists to showcase their talents.

Bradley said: “Having had many conversations with people wanting to see more trans masc performers, as there are so many female/non-binary focused projects, I have addressed this by creating Boyz Nite.”

With Cerys as MC, the night will feature Romeo De La Cruz, Sigi Moonlight, Aleks Jagielski, Alice India, Leila Nevabi and Scary Boots.

Off-stage, Cerys has also developed a reputation for their podcasting.

She said: “I love podcasts and I make a lot of them.

“If you like architecture, keeping up to date on the latest coronavirus research, disrupting public health, learning about how museums can do things differently, interrogating the history of eugenics, or thought-provoking interviews about the world of academia, then I’ve probably made a podcast that you’d enjoy.”

The Revolution Begins At Home is a great place to start, and to get a sense of what drives Cerys.

The series, which can be found on their website cerysbradley.com, features a range of reflections on activism and gender via interviews with the likes of the Halo Collective and the Craftist Collective to comedian and former stripper Siân Docksey and Jemima Hartshorn from Mums For Lungs.

However you discover it, Cerys Bradley’s is a name that’s going to be around for a long time.

 

Picture: Cerys Bradley. Picture: Steve Ullathorne