It will be followed by a single performance on June 6 at the Sage, Gateshead. Bernhard will be backed by her band, The Rebellious Jezebels. According to press materials, in 1989, George HW Bush had replaced Ronald Reagan in the White House, Soviet war was waged in Afghanistan, and Sandra Bernhard was wowing Broadway audiences with a sizzling performance of "Little Red Corvette" — wearing nothing but an American flag G-string. Without You I'm Nothing toured the world and lead to a Grammy-nominated album and feature film of the same name.

Her live performances — described as part comedy, part social satire and part satire — showcase her talents as comedienne, actress, singer and writer. A former manicurist to the stars (her clients included Dyan Cannon and Jaclyn Smith), she first received acclaim in Hollywood as the obsessively neurotic groupie who attempts to kidnap Jerry Lewis in Martin Scorsese's 1983 film, "The King of Comedy," a role that won her the Best Supporting Actress award in the National Society of Film Critics Awards. Her TV appearances include playing Nancy, a married woman who came out as a lesbian, on the hit sitcom "Roseanne" from 1991-1996, and guest starring roles on "Ally McBeal," "Chicago Hope" and "Will & Grace." In 2001 hosted her own TV talk show, "The Sandra Bernhard Experience."

To book tickets, contact the box offices for the Leicester Square Theatre, 0844 847 2475, or visit www.leicestersquaretheatre.com; for The Sage in Gateshead, 0191 443 4661, or visit www.thesagegateshead.org.