Ever get that voice in your head that’s like “nah, you suck at this, what’s the point!?” Or like “you know your friends and loved ones? Yeah, they hate you!” Or “oooh look at you, you think you’re so damn full of yourself, eh? Who are you to review the quality of someone else’s work?”
Yeah. Same.
Bitch on the Mic tunes into that radio station so many will recognise. The one that plays on repeat when you’re falling asleep. The one in the middle of that dinner where you said that one thing you’re certain everyone will remember as the cringiest thing anyone said. Ever! The one that sends you little reminders a day later. A week later. Eight. Years. Later. Bitch FM.
From an unexpected angle of personal development, corporate escapee-turned-life coach Jess Nicks introduces us to all those inner critics that take turns airing their thoughts on just how much of a fuck up you are.
We meet the ‘Hunger bitch’, who sometimes, if we’re honest, just needs a Snickers to calm the fuck down. Honestly – snacking can save your life! The ‘Self-doubt bitch’ who ploughs you down any time you try something new. The ‘Have-I-done-something-wrong bitch’ who hates when the ticks are blue but no message comes back, and immediately tells you that you have NO FRIENDS.
Special mention goes to self-loathing expert ‘Woe-is-me bitch’, rocking up to the party with her opposite evil twin ‘FOMO bitch’. You can even take a ‘my bitch quiz’ to find out exactly which voices are holding you back. All of these anxieties and spirals are personified in a raucous and raunchy one-woman show.
With only a few shows under her belt, Jess Nicks’ relatable blend of characters was met with full belly laughter, whoops and cheers. Occasional disclaimers about jokes not landing with everyone felt unnecessary and sometimes slowed the pace. Girl! Shut that ‘need-to-explain-your-show bitch’ up! The show reminds us that you can choose to not listen to those intrusive thoughts, and while Nicks touches on the hardship we go through when faced with these voices, the overarching tone is one of fun and empowerment.
Bitch on the Mic explores the chaos that goes on in an overthinking mind, what triggers it, and how to learn to – if not ignore it – at least turn it into something worth a laugh.
By Natasha Jane Kennedy
Jess Nicks is currently on tour to teach anyone who can relate to this how to “de-bitch your brain” (read more about de-bitching in Nicks’ piece for BOTI here).
