The Man Presents has returned at long last with a new run of dazzling monologues and duologues from Cambridge’s funniest women and non-binary comedians, and it was certainly worth the wait. Anyone but the Man was a pure delight to watch and had me laughing out loud the entire way through.

The show is structured as a series of short sketches, presented by the Man, who was played by the incredibly witty Dulcie Whadcock. Each comedian took to the stage in the guise of a different persona, from a hopeful Dragon’s Den contestant and her wild animal walking dreams, to a professional witch hunter and her internalised misogyny. Meanwhile, the Man’s voice returned sporadically throughout to remind the audience of his own successes: the stench of his Lynx Africa and the sharpness of his jaw line, laughing at his own jokes which were of course better than any non-man’s could be.

Largely themed around feminism and womanhood, each sketch was different from the others, and this variety ensured that the audience was completely captivated throughout. The music following each scene was also a clever and uplifting touch during the transitions, as each song matched with the preceding performance, adding to the vibrant atmosphere that filled the room from the moment that the cast entered the stage.

The setting was simple: three tables laid with glasses and drinks, lit by a soft pink glow. The show’s continuous sparkle twinkled from the cast who sat around the stage, dressed in an array of colourful outfits which each matched perfectly with their persona. I particularly loved Barbie’s all-pink ensemble and her doll-like stiffness, which was upheld even in the show’s final bows, as well as the bold neon green hairstyle of Destiny, the holistic hairdresser.

“Reducing the audience to uncontrollable laughter from her expressions and animation” 

The show’s final sketch was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. Dr Griselda Thomas (Ella Scott) staged an exorcism of toxic masculinity from Tom using a crucifix of dildoes and a copy of Florence Given’s Women Don’t Owe You Pretty, whilst Tom was slouched over muttering those three dreaded words: “not all men.” Ella Scott sparkled with hilarity as she moved around the stage, reducing the audience to uncontrollable laughter from her expressions and animation alone.

Other highlights included the sleepover survival guide for teenage lesbians, which recreated the past sleepovers of every girl in the room with hilarious accuracy: it seems that whispers, giggles, and Leonardo DiCaprio scrapbooks remain an eternal obstacle that every queer girl must battle. Daisy Brown also shone (in both her acting and her glittering bucket-hat) as an aspiring fashion editor/Depop queen. She won an uproar of laughter as she revealed the secrets of her Depop fame to the audience, pulling out a tiny green ‘y2k’ cami top in a moment that was all too relatable for every user of the fashion app.

In Anyone but the Man, directors Maddie London and Martha French have undeniably created an important space for women and non-binary comedians to unite and showcase their voices and talents. The atmosphere in the ADC felt extremely positive and wholesome, as the cast remained on stage and could be seen laughing along with the audience, supporting each other’s acts throughout.

The final performance of The Man Presents: Anyone but the Man is on at 11pm tonight at the ADC. Don’t miss the chance to end your Michaelmas with the funniest and best night out you’ll find in Cambridge. Despite the Man’s shock that a room void of men could make anyone laugh, the entire cast have indeed proven beyond any doubt that non-men can be hilarious too.