Singing, Sagging and Shagging by Barbara Fernandes is a hilarious look back at some of the questionable choices Barbra has made throughout her life and the reasons underpinning them all. What starts as a brilliant showcase of Barbra’s incredible vocal talents, with a range of fantastic musical parodies and comedic chops, gradually turns into an important and powerful exploration of the reasons behind these decisions. The show manages to strike a surprisingly effective balance between comedy and vulnerability, creating an experience that is entertaining while also leaving the audience with something more meaningful to think about.
As soon as the audience steps into the Other Room at the Dragonfly cocktail bar, they are greeted by a selection of big musical numbers that help establish the showgirl inspiration underpinning Barbara’s entire performance. The opening immediately demonstrates her confidence as a performer and establishes an energetic atmosphere that draws the audience into her world. However, rather than continuing with a theme of everything being glitz and glamour, Barbar explains throughout the show that life is not always a big, over-the-top, joyous spectacle; sometimes, it can be incredibly dark. As you would expect from a professional vocalist, Barbra uses this opportunity to showcase her vocal talents, artfully using the microphone itself to ensure every beautiful note resonates around the room. Her more powerful singing is balanced flawlessly so as not to overpower the intimate venue at the Dragonfly cocktail bar. In this one-person show, Barbara talks directly to the audience throughout, using a range of witty one-liners and catchy parodies of popular songs. She presents herself as an incredibly likeable and relatable performer whom the audience instantly connects with, making the later moments of the show even more impactful. There is a genuine sense that Barbara is allowing the audience into her life rather than simply performing a rehearsed series of jokes. This makes the transition into the more serious material feel especially significant.
There is one very niche thing that always instantly fills me with joy (and I have not found an adequate reason why), and that is when a show acknowledges its own title, akin to the moment in We’re the Millers where the characters describe themselves as “the Millers”. One of the most poignant moments, therefore, sees Barbara explain exactly why she decided to name the show as she did. She explains to the audience that “Singing” is a reference to her established career as a professional singer, “Sagging” is a reference to the unavoidable passage of time, and “Shagging” is a reference to her unique dating experiences. The latter leads to some of the funniest moments of the performance, including a story about having sex in a moat, which was so unexpected and outlandish that it had the audience in hysterics. At one point in the show, Barbara directly asks the audience if they are ready for the “serious bit” as she goes into a very vulnerable and honest discussion about her later diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). This sudden change of mood is a clever depiction of the switch between emotions that people experiencing this mental health condition can often go through. The contrast between the comedic sections and this more serious discussion demonstrates how quickly the tone of a person’s life can change and how difficult it can be to navigate those emotions. Having someone speak so honestly about mental health is not only incredibly brave and inspirational, but can also empower anyone in the audience who may be going through something similar. Importantly, Barbara does not allow this discussion to completely overwhelm the show. Instead, it becomes another part of her story and helps explain some of the decisions and experiences that she has discussed throughout the performance.
In conclusion, Singing, Sagging and Shagging by Barbara Fernandes is an honest yet hilarious look at mental health, relationships, ageing and the unpredictable experiences that make up a person’s life. The show can only have a positive effect on those in attendance who may be going through something similar, while still providing plenty of opportunities for the audience to laugh. This important message is intertwined with a series of brilliant musical numbers that showcase Barbra’s talents and her history as an established cabaret singer, making the story itself very easy for the audience to follow. It is a wonderfully personal performance that proves comedy and vulnerability can work together incredibly effectively. I would rate this show 4 out of 5 stars!
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