"...And Then John Farted And Everybody Died..."

The past two years have seen Jenna Unwin travelling across the Peterborough area, collecting real stories of shame and embarrassment from local people. Through workshops and conversations, she has built a growing archive of awkward moments. The result is this bizarrely unique but genuinely hilarious new show, "...And Then John Farted and Everybody Died", a full celebration of human shame in all its glory.

The show opens with Jenna explaining the story behind the striking title before transporting us to a 1970s launderette linked to the mobile disco her dad, Funky Steve, and his friend John created. What followed was an hour of chaos in the best possible way. Cabaret sits beside dance. Lip-syncing crashes into monologues. One genre melts into another with no warning, yet it all makes perfect sense in the world Jenna builds. The unpredictability is part of the brilliance, and the constant jumps add energy. The fact this whirlwind is carried by one performer (with slight assistance from James Dong) makes it even more impressive.

Cabaret performances of songs like Poo or Cashew?, an enema-inspired Lady Gaga parody, and clever improv showcased Jenna’s impressive comedic, musical, and dance talent, and her choice to channel it into this self-proclaimed 'nonsense' makes the show utterly remarkable. In less capable hands, a show this sprawling could have fallen into unwanted chaos, but Jenna's full sincerity combined with the production's professionalism transforms it into a joyous, clever exploration of a very common feeling: shame.

Jenna holds the room with ease, shifting between characters and stories with a captivating nature that keeps the audience engaged. Whether re-telling crude stories in a children’s book style, performing poo-themed rhythmic ballet dressed as a cat, or pausing mid-show for a banana break, Unwin dives in with full commitment. The chaotic comedy is underlined by genuine warmth, capturing the humour, embarrassment, and human vulnerability at the heart of these stories.

Despite being a one-woman show, Jenna is supported behind the scenes by an amazing team including her brilliant director Becky Owen Fisher and the sound design of Tom Fox. Fox’s remixes of local stories into songs and soundscapes, along with blending tracks from Funky Steve and John’s original mobile disco, lifted the performance tenfold.

Jenna Unwin is an artistic force, and this show is as funny as it is touching. The dedication to authenticity, the hilarity of the stories told, and the sheer inventiveness of the performance make it a show you'll remember long after it finishes.