“Get the drugs!” hollers an impassioned Desiree Burch, as today’s high-temperature hour builds to a rousing climax. This isn’t a dramatic cry for help though; or not for her, anyway. Burch already has the drugs. Menopause medication, and now she’s urging the rest of the world to get them too, as early as possible, starting with every woman in this sweaty basement.
Burch is struggling with Fringe flu, apparently, 12 days in, but it certainly doesn’t show. The LA-born comic has always been a powerful onstage presence, and this time she has a righteous cause to stoke those fires further. Having turned 46 and eventually negotiated the path to successful treatment, her symptoms are now much more manageable. But that process also fed back to her childhood, and her mother’s behaviour, which suddenly makes a lot more sense. The drugs weren’t so good back then.
A menopause-fueled show may not sound fun for everyone, but that overarching theme only really becomes apparent later on, as she surveys the room, explores her experiences, and how we treat women in their “dark middle ages” generally. It’s inspirational, inclusive, and thoroughly entertaining. From sexy vulcans in Star Trek: Discovery to the vagaries of vaginal dryness, Burch is still boldly going where few comics went before.
Desiree Burch: The Golden Wrath, Monkey Barrel Comedy, until 12 Aug, 5.40pm