one4review | On 20, Aug 2026

Manic is written, directed and performed entirely by Roxana Baldovin, it’s a one-woman comedy, cabaret and burlesque show all rolled into one, but what is the meaning of manic, well in simple terms it’s to be alive with pleasure!

The show begins with the first of many pre-recorded sketches with a scene in Brooklyn New York followed by the introduction of the game show ‘So you want to be famous’. Roxy appears on stage wearing a stunning top while dancing and miming to a rewritten version of Britney Spears ‘Lucky’. After a quick change there is a bit of car karaoke before jumping ahead to the gameshow again where she wins an unexpected reward.

Another pre recorded sketch gives us Rita and her darker companion, with flamboyant costumes, yellow snakes and hairspray hairstyles, what’s not to like! Roxy then extends her many talents to burlesque. She dances to another well-known song, ‘Hey big spender’ and again mimes along to the rewritten version. After a hilarious and not so smooth costume change, we meet her inner confidence self. Roxy’s image is then portrayed on the front cover of various well-known magazines.

Greenlight productions are looking for a female director and of course, Roxy auditions but the panel are undecided whether to give her the job or not. Meanwhile after a mystic fortune teller gives a warning, Roxy travels into a psychedelic state after consuming some magic mushrooms! As you wait for her final costume change, we see a pre recorded reel of how Roxy as a child has always wanted to be famous as it follows her through her early career. Her final character gives us a bit of cabaret to a well-known Frank Sinatra track and again the words have been rewritten.

With Baldovin switching between so many characters it’s hard to keep up at times as she portrays an array of various characters. Her many talents and wide range of acting and dancing skills are there for all to see. The rewritten songs compliment the show very well and with an array of colourful costumes from mermaids to hippy fairy light dresses, it’s a complete all-round performance. The show did seem to end a bit soon and there was quite a bit of pre-recorded scenes while she made costume changes but you can’t help but admire the work and effort put into this show by one amazing woman.

****
Reviewed by Steve.J.
Just the Tonic – West Side Rodeo
Until 27 August (not 21 or 22)
21.20 (45 mins)