Identity bending, accent switching and camp character comedy are all part of this fabulously stitched together storytelling hour from Jodie Mitchell. Their Fringe debut has a fun, late night vibe; a fluid blend of drag-king cabaret, personal stories and gender politics. Not only is it beautifully crafted with daddy issues, bigotry, feminism, good pals, queer joy and class traitors all appearing in the smart writing, it’s really bloody funny too. 

Mitchell knows what it feels like to move between worlds of gender, class, biological and non-biological family. They grew up in Scotland then moved to a posh private school and lost the accent (pissing off many in the process, as they explain). Recently the gender-queer comedian also worked as a consultant on Sex Education, advising on the portrayal of non-binary characters. 

Dressed in a velvet lederhosen number with diamanté studs and an angular Ken-doll beard, Travulva blurs into Mitchell through some heavy make-up removal and vowel transitioning. The show deftly juggles excellent jokes and surreal flourishes with warm discussion of trans issues, queer culture, family rejection and everyday misogyny and transphobia. In fact when there is one early walk out tonight, it almost seemed like a plant, a theatrical gift, functioning as a well-timed reminder of how normal it is for Mitchell not to be tolerated. They took the interruption in their stride, confidently teasing a few extra belly laughs out of the blip. It’s fruity, clever and full of heart, striving for more trans understanding and delivering many laughs in the process. 

Jodie Mitchell: Becoming John Travulva, Pleasance Courtyard, until 27 August, 9.50pm.