Fern Brady’s latest show, I Gave You Milk To Drink, will not disappoint fans of her deadpan delivery and reflections on life. The audience at The Alexandra last night was won over from the moment she walked on stage, and she then proceeded to further delight her Brummie fans with her warm comments about the second city. 
Brady’s delivery is endearing. Quick to poke fun at herself, she makes frequent reference to the fact that she’s been diagnosed as autistic - the routine of life as a stand-up comedian, she says, saying the same lines at the same time every evening, suits her just fine. She also gets plenty of mileage out of her Scottish heritage (feelings of low self-worth are an inherent characteristic, it seems, of those north of the Border).
Many came to hear of Brady when she was a contestant on Taskmaster, and this, she tells us, has brought a new audience to her live performances - as has her appearance on a well-known Channel Four baking show. She makes much of her brushes with television, and is sure that invitations to appear onscreen may result from a production company’s wish to tick the ‘diversity and inclusion’ box. Such observations may be tinged with sadness (is she in demand because of her talent, or because she helps a TV show meets its diversity quota?) but are made without a hint of self-pity.
Her account of her encounter with Miriam Margolyes is hilarious. She is an excellent mimic, imitating Margolyes’ plummy accent as she recounts how the Harry Potter star berated her for having had Botox. Brady has perfected the skill of using important issues (body image, bullying, sexism) to great comic effect without in any way undermining their seriousness. 
The show sees her take the audience on a journey from Scotland to Australia, America, Thailand and back to the UK, using episodes from her life and experiences to illustrate the points she makes. Highlights include an encounter with her ‘spirit-guide’, in the form of a cat, on a Thai beach, and a rant about the fact that, in Scotland, more monuments are dedicated to animals than to high-achieving women. We have no idea, of course, if this is true, but it really doesn’t matter; Brady’s ability to tell a tale cannot fail to entertain.
The show is fast-paced; her delivery, slick. The enthusiastic reception which greeted her on a chilly autumn night in Birmingham perfectly reflects the love her fans have for her. An evening in the company of this accomplished storyteller is sure to warm even the coldest of hearts.

Five stars

Fern Brady: I Gave You Milk To Drink was reviewed by Rachel Smith at Birmingham theatre The Alexandra on Tuesday 24 September