Spalding’s South Holland Centre presents debut Edu-Com show by Zeph Churchill – Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here?

Those in the audience who witnessed the ball of energy that is Zeph Churchill would understand the term Zephervescent – and it was certainly an impressive phenomenon.

Her show ‘Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here?’ discusses the menopause and leans on her career in nursing – and was hilariously presented at the South Holland Centre on Friday night.

If I could give her show a five star review ‘There was not a dry vagina in the theatre’ – I would.

Considering this was the debut show for the retired nurse of 33 years – and that she was ‘winging’ it in her own words (panty liner pun intended) – she looked like an experienced stand-up.

Zeph Churchill is a choir leader in Spalding and has worked as a health professional teaching and empowering menopausal health. Her show is an Educom, educational and comedic.

The show is hilarious in parts and poignant in others – she shares funny anecdotes from her time in A&E and working as a general practitioner.

Although the message is important about menopausal and vaginal health and breast cancer awareness, it is delivered through comic visuals, props including a huge pair of knitted breasts, songs and jokes.

She brought Zephervescence to the theatre show – which was a full house sell out night that also attracted a handful of men getting into the spirit. It’s worth pointing out that £5 from each ticket went to Breast Cancer Now.

With a likeness to the actor Miriam Margolyes, Zeph seemed completely at home on stage – no doubt being in front of the choir every Saturday has honed that skill.

Zeph has an ability to make the audience feel relaxed and played the room like a pro.

Her songs and musical comedy were particularly good – using her ukulele (a euphemism perhaps in the same way that ‘Gertrude’ was suggested as an alternative name for a vagina).

Perimenopause and menopause are a hard period (ahem) to go through – grey haired and invisible, hot flashes and pain – and Zeph highlights the need for women to bring attention to it –particularly in the workplace and how employers can help.

She sang about smear tests, we all played bingo and were given goodie bags with items such as Bamboo Everyday Pads, vaginal moisturiser, Curly Wurlys, neon wristbands and information about intimate health.

Don’t just take my word for it.

Bronte Barton said: “I hope she takes it on tour – it was incredible – she is such a hilarious lady.”

Clare Walsham said: “It was absolutely brilliant – to get the information across to a large number of people – it was amazing.”

Another audience member said: “To say this was marvellous is beyond an understatement.”

The message of the show is to be invincible and not invisible – and no doubt the audience went away feeling uplifted.

Essentially Zeph had the audience in the palm of her hand – no lubrication needed.

It is a marketable, fun, cheeky comedy show with an important message and I hope to see it go on to other theatres.

***** There was not a dry vagina in the theatre (I had to!)

Catch Is It Me Or Is It Hot In Here at New Theatre Royal, Lincoln, April 18, 2024